Farms.com Home   Expert Commentary

WTO Rules On COOL

Oct 21, 2014
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled in favour of Canada in regards to US country of origin meat labelling rules, stating that the US is discriminating against exports from Canada and Mexico.
 
The rules, which are blamed by the Canadian beef industry for reducing meat exports to the US by half, went into effect in 2008 and were updated last year.
 
The WTO compliance panel says the revisions made last year make the policy even more detrimental to livestock exporters.
 
The panel says cool breaks trade rules because it treats Canadian and Mexican livestock less favourably than US livestock.
 
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz expects the US may appeal the ruling.