The United States will not change its meat-labeling regime before an expected World Trade Organization ruling in July, Canadian Agriculture Minister Gary Ritz told reporters following a meeting of farm ministers from Mexico, Canada and the United States, says Country Guide. Ritz said he told Ag Secretary Vilsack that Canada is ready to retaliate over the U.S. country-of-origin labeling rules. “I think the (U.S.) administration of today is mired down to the point where they’re going to ride this right to the bottom,” Ritz said in the story.
Separately, Vilsack told reporters in Washington “I don’t think so” when asked if agreement on the so-called TransPacific Partnership would be delayed due to allegations by U.S. growers that Mexico dumped sugar in the United States last year. The U.S. International Trade Commission is investigating the complaint.