The general manager of Manitoba Beef Producers says today's WTO ruling about country of origin labeling is "exactly what we had hoped for"
Arbitrators ruled that COOL caused over $1 billion of damages for Canadian livestock producers, and Melinda German says producers in Manitoba were significantly impacted.
"Before 2008 (when COOL came into affect) we had significant trade with our counterparts down across the line in the US. So I think with a complete repeal of COOL, we'll see some positive impacts here, and anytime we see markets open back up to us, it really add another degree of stability to our markets."
German says even though they trade globally, when more markets open up, it helps to mitigate some issues that might come along in the future.
Ron Davidson, the director of international trade with the Canadian Meat Council, says their position from the beginning has been consistent, saying that all countries should follow and abide by their international obligations.
"The WTO has now found, in one way or another, on five separate occasions that the US country of origin labeling requirements is not consistent with their international obligations. So essentially, we believe the US should repeal the legislation and therefore come into conformity with its international obligations."
The COOL debate between Canada and the US has been ongoing since 2008, and Davidson says now is the time to repeal it.
