Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 9/21/10

Canada and Mexico have begun arguments against U.S. country-of-origin-labeling regulations on beef and pork in front of the World Trade Organization, which is expected to rule on the matter sometime next summer, according to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the North American Meat Processors Association.

The bordering nations’ beef and pork producers argued in a hearing last week that COOL has slashed their exports to the United States, and that the law violates WTO rules governing bilateral trade. COOL has caused a $40- to $60-per-head drop in Mexican cattle prices, for example, imported into the United States, according to Alejandro Gomez, an attorney for Mexican cattlemen, as quoted by NAMP.

The United States didn’t challenge such economic evidence, but claimed the impacts resulted from choices made by market participants rather than from the U.S. law itself. Washington also argued COOL was intended to inform consumers about the origins of their food and it hasn’t negatively impacted Canadian cattle.

“We correctly anticipated the arguments the U.S. would use to defend (country-of-origin labeling), and while there were no surprises, it is clear that the U.S. intends to defend this trade barrier vigorously," CCA President Travis Toews said in a statement.

Canada and Mexico received support at the WTO hearing from 13 other countries, according to NAMP, quoting another attorney for Mexican cattlemen. Donald E. deKeiffer said only Australia had “real world” problems with the COOL regulations, but all were concerned about the negative precedent the U.S. policy is setting.

Long road
According to CCA, there is well over another year left in the process.
Over the next five weeks, written answers will respond to numerous questions posed by the panel. There will then be an opportunity to provide written rebuttals by late October.

A second oral hearing is set for December, followed by further written submissions through February. A final panel report is scheduled for July 2011, most likely followed by an appeal taking another year, CCA projected.

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