The United States’ Country of Origin labeling (COOL) is still not cool with the World Trade Organization (WTO). In the compliance panel report released today, the WTO found that “the amended COOL measure violates Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement because it accords to Canadian and Mexican livestock less favourable treatment than that accorded to like US livestock.” In particular, … Read More
NPPC Comments on Breakdown of TPP Talks
A breakdown in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) last week is a good news/bad news situation for the National Pork Producers Council. “The Japanese left the meeting, so the TPP continues at an impasse,” said NPPC Vice President and Counsel for International Affairs Nick Giordano. “From NPPC’s vantage point, we’d rather there be no deal than a bad deal … Read More
WTO Decision on COOL Confidential For Now
The World Trade Organization has reportedly made a decision on the case against the United States mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law by Canada and Mexico, but it may be some time yet before we hear what it is. “Sometimes there are additional questions, additional information that needs to be provided,” says National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Associate Director … Read More
Chicken Council Testimony on Trade
The Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing Wednesday on “Trade Enforcement: Using Trade Rules to Level the Playing Field for U.S. Companies and Workers” addressing concerns that as new trade agreements are being considered those that are already in place are not being adequately enforced. “Without strong enforcement, no trade deal – old or new – is able to … Read More
COOL Not Cool with Mexico and Canada
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) provided an update on mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) during World Pork Expo this week. “We’re very concerned that if the current rule later this summer is ruled out of compliance by the WTO, the Canadians and Mexicans will then have a right to retaliate,” said NPPC Vice President John Weber of Iowa, … Read More
Pork Producers Oppose Japan’s TPP Demands
Pending trade deals, particularly the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), will be among the topics on the plate – along with lots of barbequed pork! – at the World Pork Expo this week. Just last week, the National Pork Producers Council joined with dairy, wheat and rice organizations in calling on the Obama administration to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations … Read More
TPP Must Deliver Meaningful Access for All Dairy Products
The majority of U.S. dairy farmer cooperatives and dairy processing companies, all of which are members of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) or the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), threatened to withdraw support from the pending Trans-Pacific trade agreement if Japan and Canada refuse to follow through on pledges to provide comprehensive market access for U.S. dairy products. NMPF … Read More