CCA Pleased with WTO dealine on COOL

December 4, 2012 Calgary, AB – The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased that the World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitrator today established a firm deadline for the United States (U.S.) to ensure its Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements square with its WTO obligations. The U.S. now has until May 23, 2013 to comply with the Panel and Appellate Body reports adopted by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body this past July, confirming that U.S. COOL legislation discriminates against Canadian livestock in the U.S. market. CCA President Martin Unrau thanked Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast for their concerted efforts on the COOL file over the years. “Today’s good news is the direct result of Canada initiating the arbitration process with the WTO in September after efforts to negotiate an implementation date with the U.S. were unsuccessful, and the latest in a series of positive results due to the Ministers’ efforts on a challenging file,” he said. “The CCA looks forward to continuing its work with its U.S. allies and counterparts to develop a solution that eliminates the discrimination of Canadian cattle in the U.S. market,” Unrau said. CCA representatives were in Washington, D.C. recently meeting with congressional leaders to advocate a timely resolution to this dispute and support legislative changes proposed by the majority of the U.S. industry that would end the discrimination caused by COOL. COOL has affected billions of dollars of commerce in cattle and beef products since it was implemented in 2008. The current impact of COOL on Canadian producers is estimated to be $639 million per year. For further information, contact: Gina Teel Communications Manager Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 403-275-8558 x 406 | teelg@cattle.ca Cell: 403-875-3616 www.cattle.ca -30- Thanks, Matthew French Communications Coordinator Canadian Cattlemen's Association 310, 6715 - 8th Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 7H7 T 403-275-8558 ext. 414 F 403-274-5686 frenchm@cattle.ca www.cattle.ca