HURON (KELO AM) - A bill to repeal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is expected to be on the House floor next week. South Dakota Farmers Union urges Representative Kristi Noem to speak out against the repeal of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).
"For the rights of South Dakota's farmers, ranchers and consumers, we ask Noem to take a stand and speak out, on the House floor, against the House Bill that would repeal COOL," said Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union President and a fourth-generation Conde cattle producer.
Sombke explained that without COOL, meat would not be labeled by country of origin. Therefore American consumers would not know where their food comes from. "Our farmers and ranchers take pride in producing a safe, quality product. By taking away labeling rights, consumers have no way of knowing if they are purchasing meat from American producers who follow stringent regulations, or from other countries, where the same regulations may not be followed," he said.
What can you do?
Sombke encourages South Dakotans to join him and the members of South Dakota Farmers Union in urging Rep. Noem to speak out against the repeal of COOL.
"Call Noem and let her know COOL is important to our state's consumers and livestock industry. Ask her to take a stand for all South Dakotans," Sombke said.
Call Noem today, the Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121.