A coalition of over 200 farm, rural, faith, consumer and environmental organizations have written Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging USDA to “protect the integrity” of country-of-origin labeling (COOL).  The coalition said, “Consumers deserve clear, direct, and informative labels.  Providing more accurate labels with more information is a win-win situation for producers and consumers alike.”  Those signing the letter included the American Agriculture Movement, Center for Rural Affairs, Consumers Union, Farm Aid, Food & Water Watch, National Farmers Union, National Farmers Organization, Organic Consumers Association, R-CALF, and U.S. Cattlemen’s Association.   USDA has proposed a COOL rule that requires that the origin designation include information about where each of the production steps (born, raised, slaughtered) occurred.  The United States has until May 23 to come into compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO). 

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