country of origin labelling Archives

Editor’s Rant: Product placement

By Dave Bedard April 4, 2024

It’s been many, many years since I was foolish enough to think I might have all the answers. In this space, be prepared to see me asking questions. At the very least — though I’ve also long since given up the idea of ever appearing on Jeopardy! — my responses will often be in the […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

Canada warns VCOOL would sabotage shared Canada-U.S. goals, supply chains

The Canadian government has submitted its views on proposed U.S. food labelling rules

By GFM Network News June 19, 2023

Proposed U.S. country of origin labelling rules run contrary to mutual Canada and U.S. goals to reduce inflation, improve food security and build resilient supply chains, according to a submission from the Canadian government to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “One of the great strengths of the U.S.-Canada bilateral relationship is the successful integration of […] Read more

Livestock

Meat lobby says U.S. voluntary label rule could spur trade action

Ottawa to review Washington's proposed 'Product of USA' rule

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News March 8, 2023

U.S. meat industry lobbyists say Washington’s proposed new rules governing voluntary ‘Product of USA’ or ‘Made in the USA’ labels would “impose the same standard” as that country’s now-defunct mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) law — and frustrate U.S. packers who import Canadian meat or livestock. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Food Safety and […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Markets

U.S. congressmen seek revival of mandatory COOL on beef

Bipartisan bill calls for WTO-compliant take on label law

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News April 2, 2022

A bill that would order U.S. officials to come up with a way to bring back mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on beef has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Lance Gooden, a Republican from Texas, and Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, on Wednesday introduced H.R. 7291, proposing to restore the […] Read more

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent monitors the Canada/U.S. border near Sweet Grass, Montana, about 100 km southeast of Lethbridge. (CBP.gov)

Beef Cattle, Livestock

Guenther: Canada’s beef export sector waiting, watching

By Lisa Guenther, GFM Network News November 22, 2016

As speculation swirls around U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to renegotiate NAFTA, officials with Canada’s beef industry are taking a measured approach. They’re not ignoring the possibility of trade disruptions in the U.S., said Ryder Lee, CEO of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association — “but neither are we lighting our hair on fire yet at each […] Read more

Livestock, Reuters

Cattle producers urge trade fight if Trump revives COOL

By Rod Nickel, GFM Network News November 16, 2016

Winnipeg | Reuters — Canadian cattle producers will urge Ottawa to retaliate against the U.S. if the incoming Trump administration imposes a meat labelling program it views as discriminatory, restarting a six-year trade battle, an industry group said on Wednesday. U.S. news network CNN reported on Tuesday that a memo drafted by President-elect Donald Trump’s […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Markets

Klassen: COOL may have been ahead of its time

It probably created some economic losses, but more labelling is where food is heading

By Jerry Klassen March 10, 2016

Producers have been asking and I believe it is worth making a few comments about the outlook for markets and domestic prices at auctions and packing plants now that country-of-origin labelling (COOL) is no longer a requirement in the U.S. COOL was done away with in late December 2015 after the U.S. Congress attached a […] Read more

And the man even makes house calls — this is Greg Evans, chief veterinarian for the Calgary Stampede, applying his equine dental skills to one of the horses at the Calgary Stampede Ranch near Hanna, Alberta. The horses who are trained to be bucking broncs and other competitors receive excellent and regular animal health care. Evans may not make it in human dentistry field, but his patients at the ranch didn’t voice any complaints.

Cattleman’s Corner, Keepers & Culls, Livestock

The next project after COOL

The key to farm policy change is persistence

By Lee Hart February 17, 2016

I have to give the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and Canada’s federal government credit for their patience and persistence. I never thought the U.S. government would ever do away with its country-of-origin labelling (COOL) law once it was enacted in 2008. And after all the trips and lobbying to the U.S. capital over the past […] Read more

Livestock, Markets, Reuters

Mexico halts bid for COOL retaliation

By Reuters, GFM Network News December 20, 2015

Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico has halted a bid to impose retaliatory trade measures on the U.S. over meat labeling rules after U.S. lawmakers repealed them this week, a Mexican government official said. Mexico had announced earlier this month it would start internal procedures to strip benefits from some U.S. agricultural and industrial imports, […] Read more

Livestock, Markets

U.S. Congress repeals COOL on beef, pork

By GFM Network News December 18, 2015

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have both approved a repeal of the government’s six-year old mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) laws on beef and pork. Tucked into an omnibus appropriations bill put before Congress Friday, the repeal shuts the door on a major irritant in North American trade relations and is expected to curb […] Read more

Alberta crop conditions improve: report

U.S. grains: Corn sets contract lows on expectations for big US crop

U.S. livestock: Cattle strength continues

GFM Network News