Canada & Mexico challenge COOL

The World Trade Organization has assigned three members to review whether or not U.S. legislation requiring Country of Origin Labeling violates international trade rules. Canada requested the panel along with Mexico back in October 2009. "We launched the WTO trade challenge to defend Canadian farmers and ranchers against unfair discrimination under US COOL legislation and so we welcome the creation of this dispute panel as a step in the right direction," said Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture. "We took the time to work with Canadian ranchers and farmers to put together a rock-solid case and we're absolutely confident that we're going to win this challenge." COOL requires Canadian meat to be labeled at each major stage of production, including at retail. The Canadian government's complaint is that this provides a disincentive for processors to deal with Canadian animals because of the extra cost and effort. "The U.S. COOL requirements are so onerous that they affect the ability of our cattle and hog exporters to compete fairly in the U.S. market," said Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade when the panel was requested. "This request demonstrates our ongoing commitment to resolving this issue and defending the interests of Canadian producers."...more