(Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. lawmaker sees early June vote to repeal COOL

Washington | Reuters –– U.S. House of Representatives agriculture committee chairman Mike Conaway said on Tuesday he expects an early June vote on legislation to repeal U.S. meat labeling laws, to avoid costly retaliation from Canada and Mexico. Canada and Mexico began preparing retaliatory steps against U.S. goods on Monday, after a World Trade Organization […] Read more




Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott, shown here at the U.N. in September, is backing plans for a nationwide country-of-origin labelling program. (PM.gov.au via Flickr)

Australia plans country-of-origin labelling after hep A outbreak

Sydney | Reuters — Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott backed plans on Thursday to introduce country-of-origin labelling in the wake of a hepatitis A outbreak, potentially risking contravention of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. With 18 confirmed cases of hepatitis A linked to consumption of berries sold by Patties Foods Ltd., Abbott said he had […] Read more