What We’re Reading | Country-of-origin labelling discussion re-emerges in U.S.

Some American ranchers are ‘making a lot of noise’ but odds of a return to COOL law seem slim

By Jennifer Blair, Alberta Farmer Express

Mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) is gone, but there’s a new effort by American beef producers wanting to bring it back.

“It’s still hugely on our radar,” said Alberta Beef Producers chair Melanie Wowk. “When COOL was first instituted in 2003, it was costing us about $600 million a year, so I think you could say it strikes fear into the producers of this province.”

But six years ago, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled it was discriminatory and said Canada could impose retaliatory tariffs of $1.1 billion if the U.S. continued to demand mandatory country-of-origin labelling for beef and pork.

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‘What We’re Reading‘ is a quick look at some of the issues and insights Alberta Beef Producers’ content creators and editors are reading to stay up-to-date, to broaden perspectives, and to explore issues relevant to the agriculture industry.

Photo: Canada Beef Inc.