“If it becomes a condition of trade down there, it becomes de facto mandatory.” – Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattle Association.

Livestock sectors react to VCOOL ruling

Feds, livestock groups view new ruling with suspicion

Canada’s livestock sector will monitor the effects of a new U.S. voluntary country of origin labelling (vCOOL) ruling announced March 11. “It is crucial to address any issues that threaten or diminish the cattle and beef trade between Canada and the U.S.,” said Nathan Phinney, president of the Canadian Cattle Association, in a media release.

“We’ve always been dealing with a certain group down there that want to push mandatory country of origin labelling.” – Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattle Association.

U.S. COOL proposal unlikely to affect Canadian beef

Tabled legislation would see processors fined per pound of improperly marked meat

Proposed American legislation could see distributors fined for meat that is improperly labelled as “Made in the USA,” but industry experts north of the border say it is unlikely to pass muster. The bill would set out processor fines of $5,000 per pound of beef that doesn’t meet label standards. Why it matters: A proposed


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Canada warns VCOOL would sabotage shared Canada-U.S. goals, supply chains

The Canadian government has submitted its views on proposed U.S. food labelling rules

Proposed U.S. country of origin labelling rules run contrary to mutual Canada and U.S. goals to reduce inflation, improve food security and build resilient supply chains, according to a submission from the Canadian government to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “One of the great strengths of the U.S.-Canada bilateral relationship is the successful integration of

With North American cattle herds dipping to 60-year lows, the free flow of trade between the two countries is more important than ever to keep meat on consumers’ tables.

Opinion: U.S. meat labelling changes could disrupt live animal trade

American lawmakers propose a voluntary standard, but it’s still a risk for Canada

As the late Yogi Berra once said, it’s “déjà vu all over again” as Canadian livestock producers nervously monitor new developments south of the border that threaten to unravel the tightly knit North American meat trade.  The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service is seeking comment until May 12 on a plan to tighten its


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Meat lobby says U.S. voluntary label rule could spur trade action

Ottawa to review Washington's proposed 'Product of USA' rule

U.S. meat industry lobbyists say Washington’s proposed new rules governing voluntary ‘Product of USA’ or ‘Made in the USA’ labels would “impose the same standard” as that country’s now-defunct mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) law — and frustrate U.S. packers who import Canadian meat or livestock. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Food Safety and

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Canada concerned as COOL talk builds on Capitol Hill

The U.S. seeks ways to resurrect country-of-origin labelling without sparking another WTO complaint from Canada

Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. don’t agree on much, but in trade protectionism, there’s common cause. That’s why increasing bipartisan talk on Capitol Hill to resurrect COOL (country-of-origin labelling) for U.S.-sold beef, has Canada’s meat sector on guard. COOL is back in the headlines, seven years after a lengthy World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute


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U.S. congressmen seek revival of mandatory COOL on beef

Bipartisan bill calls for WTO-compliant take on label law

A bill that would order U.S. officials to come up with a way to bring back mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on beef has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Lance Gooden, a Republican from Texas, and Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, on Wednesday introduced H.R. 7291, proposing to restore the

“That’s one of the challenges — on the surface, it seems like a great idea until you fully understand what it means to implement mandatory COOL.” – Fawn Jackson.

Labelling law rears its head again, but officials don’t expect its return

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

Glacier FarmMedia – 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


COOL refers to laws requiring retailers to identify the country of origin for specific commodities.

COOL call alarms Canada

New USDA head ‘happy’ to work on WTO-compliant country-of-origin labelling laws

The likely U.S. secretary of agriculture says he’ll be “happy” to again advance country-of-origin labelling (COOL) policies. Tom Vilsack, during his Feb. 2 confirmation hearing of the Senate Agricultural Committee, confirmed he is open to reintroducing COOL laws – if they comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) standards. COOL refers to laws requiring retailers to

beef carcasses in a freezer

The COOL effect on beef trade

U.S. beef imports have increased at a faster rate than U.S. beef exports over the last few years. Why? First let’s go to the beef import numbers, noting the major country sources of U.S. beef imports. In 2015, the U.S. imported $9.1 billion worth of beef from all countries. Of that number, $7 billion came