Montanans demand COOL

Ranchers and consumers deserve honest markets

---

For more than a decade, four multinational meat packing conglomerates have held sway over the international beef and pork markets, using their wealth, influence, and intimidation tactics to keep mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) off of products sold in the U.S. This has caused serious damage to American cattle ranchers, not to mention the American consumer.

Consumers deserve to know the origin of their food, and U.S. and Montana producers need fair markets. Our coalition of organizations, working together with Montana ranchers, are fighting for fairness and transparency in the market. Whether you’re an organization, a cattle producer, or a consumer, you can join us and  take action today. 

Since the repeal of country-of-origin labeling in 2015, Montana has lost 25 percent  of our state’s family ranches. For years, the Big 4 meatpackers lied to American consumers about where beef and pork is born and raised by placing false “Made in the U.S.A.” or “Product of the USA” labels on packages at the grocery counter. Thanks to a new rule implemented by the USDA, which took effect Jan. 1, 2026, a few of the loopholes that had previously been exploited by the meat packing industry have now been closed, but this new rule does not go far enough and continues to weaken the integrity of the US food supply by leaving COOL voluntary.

This lack of transparency has had devastating consequences for the U.S. cattle industry—and Montana’s ranching families. Foreign producers often operate under weaker labor, safety, and environmental standards than those required of American ranchers. This is highly problematic because foreign cattle may contain disease, or steroids and antibiotics that are banned in the U.S., meaning those could end up in the steaks, roasts, and burgers your family eats.

Montana’s state Legislature knows this and passed a resolution urging Congress to implement MCOOL for beef. Join the fight for fairness from farm to fork by sending a letter in support of MCOOL to your congressional delegation today.

This issue affects everyone who eats or raises beef. Montanans will not accept a Farm Bill without MCOOL. American families and ranchers win if MCOOL is restored. Consumers deserve the right to choose beef born, raised, and processed in the USA and ranchers deserve the right to an honest market. It’s high time we reinstate MCOOL, and protect Americans from being fooled by subpar foreign beef.

We made it easy to help!

Whether you are a rancher, a consumer, or an organization of like-minded folks, we encourage you to join us in this fight. Please send a letter to your congressional members, urging support for fair markets and truth in labeling. 

If you’re an organization, please sign on to this letter to Montana’s Congressional delegation.

If you’re a cattle producer, send this email to each of the delegates.

And if you’re a consumer, send this email to each of the delegates.