News - COOL

A Des Moines, Iowa based agricultural economist suggests new U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling rules could result in the loss of U.S. pork processing capacity and a drop in U.S. pork exports.

Canada’s agriculture minister remains hopeful Canadian concerns related to U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling can be addressed through negotiation.

U.S. pork producers who rely on Canadian origin pigs fear their industry and their livelihoods will be devastated if they lose access to those pigs.

Manitoba’s vegetable marketing cooperative reports, while the adjustment to new U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling has been virtually seamless, the change has resulted in some inconvenience for some U.S. buyers.

The Chairman of Manitoba Pork Council says the common concerns related to the impact of U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling have helped unite pork producers on both sides of the Canada U.S. border.

A three state survey has shown a variety of Country of Origin Labels are appearing on pork and beef products in U.S. grocery stores in response to new U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling regulations.

The federal agriculture minister says Canada is prepared to resurrect its World Trade Organization challenge to U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling rules once such action becomes necessary.

The mandatory country of origin labeling saga continues. Last month, it was mostly on or off, no one knew for sure because the Bush administration had announced and published the final rule on January 16 for implementation March 16.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is calling on the federal government to re-open its challenge of U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling legislation following a call for additional voluntary labelling measures.

The Canadian Pork Council says calls for voluntary U.S. Country of Origin Labelling provisions that go beyond what’s required by law add additional confusion to the issue.