Federal agriculture minister optimistic in battle over country-of-origin labelling

CALGARY – Canada’s agriculture minister sees reason for optimism in an ongoing trade battle with the United States over meat labelling.

Gerry Ritz says the chairman of a U.S. congressional committee has requested that his Department of Agriculture back off on labelling rules that have prompted Ottawa to threaten retaliation.

Country-of-origin labelling (COOL) rules are blamed for complicating the import of meat into the U.S. from Canada and for reducing the amount of Canadian exports to the country by half since 2008.

Ritz says the chairman’s request underscores that pressure by Canada, including a list of possible retaliatory measures, is being recognized.

He says the quickest fix would be for the U.S. to deal with the matter in its Farm Bill.

Ritz says Canada will continue to pressure the World Trade Organization, while cattlemen pursue the matter through the courts.