Update on Country of Origin Labeling

Update on Country of Origin Labeling

Officials from the U.S., Canada and Mexico are currently reviewing the World Trade Organization’s interim decision regarding Country of Origin Labeling rules for meats issued by USDA. COOL took effect in 2013 but earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals denied a preliminary injunction against enforcing COOL.

American Farm Bureau trade specialist Dave Salmonsen says that while the Farm Bureau is in favor of COOL - its members want a program that complies with international trade rules.

Salmonsen: “The issues that the COOL regulation has to deal with go beyond informing consumers because they have international trade impacts. COOL regulations have a lot of things that they have to conform with and live up to before we see the end of this process.”

A final report from the WTO is expected at the end of July.

Salmonsen: “We will be looking closely for specific direction of what USDA needs to do. Either affirming what they have done was in compliance with the previous WTO dispute panel or the specifics on other changes that would have to be made to bring it into compliance.”

Depending on what is in the final report - Salmonsen says this issue may not be resolved for a while

Salmonsen: “There is always the possibility of an appeal. The U.S. or Canada or Mexico file an appeal. And then that would have to go to a WTO appellate body and we are still talking about this issue going to next year, if that happens.”

 

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