Canada has asked the World Trade Organization to take another look at the United States' rules for labeling meat with its country of origin, seeking to defend its livestock farmers who have lost sales to U.S. packers.
Canada is requesting that the WTO form a compliance panel to review U.S. country of origin labeling rules, known as COOL, Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast said on Monday. The move signals a new round in a dispute that could become a North American trade war.
Canadian cattle and hog producers say the rules, dating back to 2009, have led to lower U.S. imports of Canadian livestock because they created additional cost for U.S. packers.
Supporters say the labels offer consumers more information about where their food comes from.
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