Bill Text: MI HR0184 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the United States Senate to concur with the United States House of Representatives and repeal the country-of-origin labeling regulations.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-12-08 - Adopted [HR0184 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-HR0184-Introduced.html
Rep. Sheppard offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 184.
A resolution to urge the United States Senate to concur with the United States House of Representatives and repeal the country-of-origin labeling regulations.
Whereas, The United States and Canada have the largest trading relationship in the world, with bilateral trade valued at $759 billion in 2014, an association that benefits the economies of both countries. Michigan's merchandise exports to Canada in 2014 were valued at $25.4 billion, and 259,000 Michigan jobs depend on trade and investment with Canada; and
Whereas, The U.S. has implemented mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rules requiring meats sold at retail stores to be labeled with information on the source of the meat. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has repeatedly ruled that COOL discriminates against imported livestock and is not compliant with international trade obligations. Due to the WTO rulings, the U.S. may be subject to $3.6 billion in retaliatory tariffs sought by Canada and Mexico; and
Whereas, COOL regulations also jeopardize the viability of the U.S. packing and feeding industries. The additional $500 million in annual compliance costs could lead to significant job losses and plant closures with potentially devastating impacts to local and state economies. All this for an issue the United States Department of Agriculture has clearly indicated is not about food safety; and
Whereas, The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2393 to repeal the mandatory labeling for certain meats in June 2015 with 300 votes, showing a strong recognition across party lines, as well as regionally, that COOL must be repealed. However, the U.S. Senate appears less inclined to repeal the COOL requirement, risking the American economy to billions of dollars in retaliatory tariffs; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Senate to concur with the United States House of Representatives and repeal the country-of-origin labeling regulations; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
