Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 11/18/11

The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled today that Washington’s country-of-origin labeling law (COOL) violates U.S. obligations under WTO rules.

The ruling is expected to be the WTO’s final say on the complaint, originally brought forth by Canada in 2008 and later joined by Mexico because it stymied their exports of livestock to the United States.
In its ruling, WTO said the COOL measure violates a Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreement “by according less [favorable] treatment to imported Canadian cattle and hogs than to like domestic products” and because it doesn’t “[fulfill] is legitimate objective of providing consumers with information on origin…”
WTO also said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s letter asking the industry to voluntarily follow additional labeling provisions violated the TBT too.

Washington has the option of appealing the ruling, which could prompt bilateral talks among the countries.
To read the findings, click here.  

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