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Canada, Mexico want country of origin labeling ended

Canada and Mexico are petitioning the World Trade Organization in Geneva this week to strike down Washington’s country-of-origin labeling policy for beef and pork.

The U.S. law currently requires firms to track and notify customers of the origin of meat and other agriculture products.

The law creates an economic disadvantage to marketing Canadian livestock in the U.S., costing its beef industry an estimated 300-million dollars, says John Masswohl of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

The Canadians claim U.S. livestock buyers bid less for Canadian cattle to recover additional costs resulting from country of origin labeling.

The WTO isn’t expected to issue its ruling until next July, and that ruling will likely be appealed.

The NAFB News Service contributed to this article.