Another step is being taken in efforts to block mandatory Country of Origin Labeling in the United States. Canadian and American farm groups recently formed a coalition to stop labeling they say could do irreparable harm to the cattle, pork and meat industries. They’ve decided to sue the U.S. government over the labeling rules.
“We’re encouraged that in the U.S. there are a number of interests that really agree with us and believe that mandatory Country of Origin Labeling as it is currently implemented and particularly under new rules is going to be extremely costly,” said Travis Toews, past president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
It’s estimated Country of Origin Labeling is costing Canadian producers about a billion dollars a year while American processors are losing 192 million dollars a year.
The COOL rules were amended May 23rd. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Canadian Pork Council along with the American Association of Meat Processors, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Meat Institute, National Pork Producers Council, North American Meat Association and Southwest Meat Association claim the changes violate the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. Agriculture Marketing Act
Toews said, “We believe we have a substantial case, a legitimate case and so we’re optimistic.”
The coalition claims the amendments will increase discrimination against imported cattle, hurt Canadian livestock producers and their U.S. customers. It also believes Country of Origin Labeling will hurt the U.S. meat processing industry and undermine the job security of American workers.
Toews says the coalition’s makeup is significant in the groups it represents. “Certainly the credible U.S. pork, cattle and beef industries,” he said. “We think that our message, our collective message should carry a lot of weight in terms of what we need for a fix.”
A resolution to the trade dispute also could still come through the World Trade Organization.
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