A U.S. appeals court upheld USDA rules that require cuts of beef, pork and poultry to carry labels listing where the meat was born, raised and slaughtered, says the AP. Meatpackers challenged the 2013 regulation as a violation of free speech. The meat industry says the labels are bookkeeping headache and drive up costs. The consumer group Food and Water Watch said the decision “is an important victory for consumers and farmers” and will “help families make informed choices about their food” when buying groceries. It was the second ruling this year by the appeals court in favor of the labels.
Canada and Mexico are challenging the meat-labeling rules at the World Trade Organization as a trade barrier in disguise. They blame if for a decline in livestock sales to U.S. buyers. The two nations won WTO ruling against the initial U.S. labeling rule with a similar argument. A decision on the challenge to the 2013 regulation is expected this summer, according to a WTO summary of the case.