Canada Asks WTO to Review USDA’s COOL Rule

Aug 20, 2013

Canada Asks WTO to Review USDA’s COOL Rule

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Canada has requested that the Wold Trade Organization (WTO) review the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) meat labeling rules, also known as Country of Origin Labelling (COOL). The Government of Canada asked that the WTO establish a compliance panel to review COOL.

Last year, the WTO ruled that the U.S. meat label rules were not in compliance with trade obligations and ordered the United States to meet compliance by May 23, 2013. The U.S. revised COOL, which tightened its rules even further, making it even more discriminatory towards Canadian and Mexican livestock producers.

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) released a statement saying that they support the announcement noting that it is a step forward to finding a resolution to COOL. “The Canadian Pork industry has always believed that a legislative change is required for the U.S. to come into compliance with its WTO obligations on COOL,” said CPC’s Chair Jean-Guy Vincent.

Meat industry groups from Canada, Mexico and the United States have launched a legal challenge on the constitutionality of the COOL rule. Despite a significant amount of opposition from domestic livestock producers and trade partners, the USDA continues to defend the rule.

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