Statement by Ministers Fast and Ritz on the WTO decision regarding U.S. compliance with the Country of Origin Labeling by May 2013

The World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitrator decided today that the United States has until May 23, 2013, to bring its Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) measure into compliance with its WTO obligations. International Trade Minister Ed Fast and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz issued the following statement in response: “Our Government has stood firm with our cattle and hog producers against the unfair country-of-origin labelling of the U.S. The WTO Appellate Body has recognized the integrated nature of the North American supply chain and marked a clear win for our livestock industry.”