WASHINGTON (American Meat Institute) — The United States Cattlemen's Association, National Farmers Union, American Sheep Industry Association and Consumer Federation of America jointly filed a motion to intervene in the country-of-origin labeling (COOL) lawsuit brought against USDA by AMI and eight other U.S., Canadian and Mexican meat and livestock organizations. In the motion, the potential interveners seek to respond to the motion for a preliminary injunction in the case as well as to intervene on the merits of the action, saying it impacts their interests. AMI and other plaintiffs have taken no position on the motion but reserved the right to respond following receipt of the pleadings.
The government also filed its brief opposing the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction saying the plaintiffs made the request without demonstrating that they are entitled to the emergency injunctive relief they seek.