Manitoba Pork is raising concerns over renewed efforts in the United States to bring back Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (MCOOL), warning that a return to mandatory requirements could increase costs and disrupt the highly integrated North American livestock and meat industry.
Mandatory U.S. Country-of-Origin Labeling previously required Canadian and U.S. cattle and hogs to be segregated through the processing system. The requirements took effect in 2009 before being repealed in 2015 following a successful World Trade Organization challenge by Canada and Mexico.
The issue is once again gaining attention as the U.S. moves toward stricter standards governing when meat can carry a “Product of USA” label.
Under the voluntary system, products using the label must now come from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Manitoba Pork General Manager Cam Dahl says that represents a significant change because it effectively reintroduces segregation into the supply chain for companies wishing to use the U.S. designation.
Dahl cautioned that segregation comes with additional processing costs that could ultimately be passed along to consumers at the grocery store.
Of greater concern to the Canadian pork sector is growing political pressure in Washington to move beyond voluntary labeling and restore mandatory requirements.
Dahl pointed to recent action by the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee involving legislation that would reintroduce Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling for beef. While the current effort is focused on cattle, he warned the pork sector should be paying close attention.
Source : Swine Web