Friday, January 30, 2015

U.S. to kick the COOL can in Geneva

The United States gets its final kick at the Country-of-Origin-Labeling issue at an appeal hearing before a panel of the World Trade Organization in Geneva Feb. 17 and 18.

The U.S. has lost every time it has been before the World Trade Organization in the past.

If it loses this appeal, Canada will be in a position to ask the World Trade Organization to impose duties on U.S. goods if the U.S. refuses to amend its COOL regulations so they no longer depress prices of Canadian and Mexican livestock.

The hearings in Geneva will, for the first time, be open to the public to observe. Canada asked for that, so the WTO has agreed to video the proceedings and make them available in nearby rooms.


Those who want to view the proceedings have until Feb. 4 to file an application.