Some Canadian livestock exporters are getting nervous as discussions over “mandatory country of origin labeling” heat up.
They fear that President Biden’s “Buy American” agenda will reignite support. M-COOL was in place from 2008 to 2015, when the World Trade Organization ruled it violated international trade laws.
The Canadian beef and pork industries estimate that it could cost them a billion dollars in lost exports. While some U.S. cattle groups support the plan, the North American Meat Institute and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association strongly oppose it.
“We fully recognize the integrated value chains that we have in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It’s very important that we keep that trade successful and fluid. Because of the trade agreements we have, there’s opportunities for our cattle. We do not want to see a restoration of mandatory country of origin labeling. That is the last thing we want,” NCBA’s Kent Bacus states.
He says that M-COOL does nothing to help U.S. cattle producers and says that supporters have an antiquated, protectionist mindset.
Related:
Canada will not receive full Buy America exemption
Livestock industry calls for return to COOL, not a mandated label
Sen. Fischer talks COOL with Ag Secretary Vilsack