Grange Urged to Help Resolve COOL Crisis

USDA Under Secretary Ed Avalos urged the National Grange to become involved in crafting a solution to the second adverse ruling on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) by the World Trade Organization (WTO).  Avalos said Secretary Vilsack would welcome the Grange’s input.  Under the WTO ruling, it’s not a question of whether the U.S. must change its stance on COOL  but how such changes can prevent retaliatory trade practices by Canada and Mexico.  The Agricultural Marketing Service, which is the lead U.S. charged with COOL implementation, reports directly to Avalos.