Tag: COOL
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Canada Seeks WTO Resolution of COOL Dispute with United States
Canada’s government has reportedly asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish a dispute settlement panel to hear its claims that U.S. country-of-origin labeling requirements for meat have unfairly reduced demand for Canadian products. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Trade Representative Ron Kirk responded to the request by stating, “We regret that formal consultations…
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Canada Renews COOL Dispute Before World Trade Organization
Concerned that the United States does not plan to make any changes to its country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rules for meats, fresh produce and nuts, Canada has apparently decided to move forward with a complaint it originally filed in December 2008 with the World Trade Organization (WTO). According to Canada’s trade minister, “Recent instructions from the…
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USDA Sets COOL Implementation Date; Encourages Voluntary Measures
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) will take effect as scheduled on March 16, 2009. Pursuant to an Obama administration memorandum, USDA reviewed the final rule that requires country-of-origin labeling for muscle cuts and ground beef, veal, pork, lamb, goat, and chicken; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; fresh…
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USDA to Pursue Stricter COOL Regulations
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack earlier this week canceled a scheduled press conference on mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) regulations, but reportedly told meat industry representatives that USDA intends to pursue stricter COOL guidelines than those approved during the Bush administration. Vilsack has asked meat providers to voluntarily adhere to more stringent standards, noting that the agency…
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New Administration Puts Freeze on COOL Regulations
Among the first official acts of the Obama administration was a directive from White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to all federal departments and agencies not to finalize any pending rule and to extend final-rule effective dates for 60 days. According to a news source, the block affects a Department of Agriculture rule that…
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USDA Publishes Final Details of COOL Program
USDA this week issued a final rule for its mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) program, which applies to beef, pork, lamb, chicken, goat meat, wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, perishable agricultural commodities, peanuts, pecans, ginseng, and macadamia nuts. USDA had previously published an interim final rule in advance of a September 30, 2008, implementation deadline…
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Mexico Resumes U.S. Meat Imports
In late December 2008, Mexico banned imports of meat from 30 U.S. processing facilities, telling the USDA that sanitary issues were to blame, although some, including Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), suggested that the move was in retaliation for the new country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rules that took effect September 30. Mexican officials denied any connection and…
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Canada Challenges U.S. COOL Law Before World Trade Organization
The Canadian government has reportedly filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), challenging the U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law. According to a news source, Canada alleges that COOL will impose unnecessary costs on meatpackers that use Canadian livestock and could lead to additional and more stringent labeling requirements in other countries. Canadian Trade…