The United States filed an appeal at the World Trade Organization against its ruling that U.S. country-of-origin labels on beef, pork and poultry packages are unfair to Canada and Mexico. Reuters said Canada’s agriculture minister, Gerry Ritz, called on the United States to drop its “blatantly protectionist” rules. WTO ruled in favor of Canada and Mexico this fall, the third time it has said the U.S. labeling system discriminates against imports of meat and livestock. The rules are supported by U.S. consumer groups and the two largest farm groups. They are opposed by meatpackers and the largest cattle and hog groups.
“Even if the latest U.S. appeal fails to overturn October’s ruling, it will delay the threat of sanctions, which would only be imposed if the United States failed to bring its laws into line with the WTO rules within a reasonable period,” said Reuters.