Senators join last-minute push to keep COOL

September came and went with no final announcement on the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) dispute held up at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While there has been some speculation among stakeholders and a preliminary document shared with the governments involved, the final decision has yet to be announced. The WTO is deciding on whether the current COOL rule is in compliance with U.S. trade obligations involving its two largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico. Last week, a group of 32 senators sent a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski and Ranking Member Richard Shelby urging them to reject any efforts that would undermine, weaken, or suspend COOL through the appropriations process. Read more at the Western Livestock Journal…