A project of the
Organization for Competitive Markets
 
Date: July 16, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact: Steve Cady: 402.792.0041

OCM Sees Silver Lining in House anti-COOL Vote

Lincoln, NE ~ The Organization For Competitive Markets (OCM) says although it is disappointed in the U.S. House of Representatives vote on the pro-labeling Rehberg/Hooley Amendment on Monday, July 14, livestock producers should take heart in the final vote tally which was much closer than predicted. The final vote was 193 yeas; 208 nays. The Republicanís vote was 47 in favor and 165 against the Amendment. The Democrat's vote was 146 in favor and 43 against. 33 members did not vote. A vote for the Amendment was a vote for country of origin labeling (COOL).

The Rehberg/Hooley Amendment would have stricken the so-called Bonilla Amendment which prohibits from writing rules to implement COOL for meats, but allows implementation of COOL for produce and peanuts. The Bonilla Amendment, introduced by Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX), was included in the House Ag Appropriations bill as a way to kill COOL for meats. The Rehberg/Hooley Amendment, authored by Reps. Rehberg (R-MT) and Hooley (D-OR), was introduced on Monday, July 14 as the full House debated the spending bill. The Rehberg/Hooley Amendment would have stricken the Bonilla Amendment and restored the U.S. Department of Agricultureís rule-writing ability with regard to labeling of meat.

Michael Stumo, OCM legal counsel said despite the loss, OCM is very optimistic that COOL will remain on track and that the House vote was positive. "Until this issue came along, the pro-competition coalition had never worked in the U.S. House for votes in favor of producers,"said Stumo. "This was actually our debut. The fact that we fell just 15 votes shy of victory on such short notice shows the strength independent producers are gaining in the House. There was a tremendous push from grassroots producers, which I believe brought us a hair's breadth from victory. This is significant because the American Meat Institute, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemenís Beef Association and Wal-Mart have all been working very hard for a long time and have spent a great deal of money to kill country of origin labeling. In my opinion this is a success story," Stumo commented.

The U.S. Senate Ag Appropriations subcommittee will probably not include a similar amendment to derail COOL. "The Bonilla Amendment cannot be effective unless the Senate agrees to the provision,"said Stumo. "OCM feels confident the Senate will not do so and that country of origin labeling will remain on track."

A full listing of the roll call vote on the Rehberg/Hooley Amendment follows. Readers should look to their state to see how their Senators and Representatives voted.

CCMP is not a membership organization. Funding comes from livestock auction markets and independent feeders on a per-head basis at the point of sale. All contributions are tax deductible under OCM’s non-profit status. For more information, contact Steve Cady at 402.792.0041 or visit the web site at www.competitivemarkets.com. 

The Organization For Competitive Markets is a multidisciplinary, nonprofit group of farmers, ranchers, academics, attorneys, and policy makers dedicated to reclaiming the agricultural marketplace for independent farmers, ranchers and rural communities.