U.S. Blocks Canada-Mexico COOL Complaint

The United States on Oct. 23 blocked efforts by Canada and Mexico seeking a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel to review how U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) laws are damaging their meat exports, according to a report by Reuters.

"COOL is discouraging U.S. retailers, processors, feedlots and producers from buying Canadian livestock and meat. The negative impact on Canadian beef, pork and cattle exporters has been significant," Canada said in a statement.

WTO rules provide that the plaintiff can block the first request for a panel but cannot block them again. Canada and Mexico are expected to re-issue the requests Nov. 19 during the next meeting of the WTO's dispute settlement panel.

Reprinted from meatingplace.com