Minnesota Farmers Union The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule governing Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) to meet compliance requirements set forth by a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling.

"We are very pleased that the USDA has decided to stand strong and keep COOL. The decision to bring the law into compliance with the WTO's ruling is a win-win situation for all interested parties," said Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President.

"COOL gives consumers the information they want, and deserve, so they can make an educated decision about the food they are buying," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. "Moms and dads need to feel good about what they are feeding their families and when products are labeled with the country of origin, that job is made easier."

Both Minnesota and National Farmers Unions' policy call for country of origin labeling. USDA's final rule will require labels for certain foods, particularly muscle cuts of meat, to include the countries in which the animal was born, raised and slaughtered. Legal analysis has found that this will satisfy WTO's requirements and meets the compliance deadline of May 23, 2013.

Minnesota Farmers Union, standing for agriculture and fighting for farmers (www.mfu.org)

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5.28.2013