Agricultural News
USCA: COOL Lawsuit Proceeding; Congress Must Not Intervene
Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:56:03 CST
The United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA), as a defendant-intervenor in the country of origin labeling (COOL) lawsuit, has been notified that oral arguments in the appeal of the denial of plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction have been scheduled for January 9, 2014.
Oral arguments will be heard by Chief Judge Garland, Circuit Judge Srinivasan and Senior Circuit Judge Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
"The lawsuit filed by nine groups seeking to enjoin and permanently set aside the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) revised COOL regulations is moving forward," noted Jon Wooster, USCA President, San Lucas, California. "Several farm bill conferees have indicated their intention to repeal or alter the COOL statute during farm bill deliberations. USCA opposes this approach. We believe the legal process should be allowed to play out without any interference from Congress."
Plaintiffs filed their lawsuit to block COOL on July 8 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction was denied on September 11. The nine plaintiffs subsequently filed an appeal of the court's decision denying the preliminary injunction as well as a motion for an expedited hearing. On October 29, the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied plaintiffs' motion for an expedited hearing.
"USDA's revised COOL regulations will go into effect on November 23," stated Wooster. "Thus far, the plaintiffs in this lawsuit have failed to establish any right to a delay in the implementation of COOL. Congress should not intervene legislatively at this juncture and should allow the legal process to move forward to its conclusion."
"USCA urges COOL supporters to continue contacting their congressional delegations asking them to reject any legislative attempt to repeal or alter COOL."
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