WTO Dispute Panel Comments on COOL

Yesterday the World Trade Organization Dispute Panel announced that the revised U.S. Country of Origin Labeling still treats Canadian and Mexican livestock exports less favorably than U.S. livestock which is illegal according to WTO rules.
The revised COOL may still been given the okay as they stand by the WTO’s Appellate Body but if not approved — Canada and Mexico can ask the WTO to allow them to impose certain levels of trade sanctions against the United States.
Field reporter Greg Martin shares the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s President Bob McCan statement concerning the WTO comments
Martin: “The announcement by the WTO dispute panel on the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling rule brings us all one step closer to facing retaliatory tariffs from two of our largest trading partners. Our producers have already suffered discounts and faced the closure of a number of feedlots and packing plants due to the effects of this short-sighted regulation. COOL is a failed program that will soon cost not only the beef industry, but the entire U.S. economy, with no corresponding benefit to consumers or producers. NCBA has maintained that there is no regulatory fix to bring the COOL rule into compliance with our WTO obligations or that will satisfy our top trading partners. We look forward to working with Congress to find a permanent solution to this issue, avoiding retaliation against not only beef, but a host of U.S. products.”