World Trade Organization Condemns US Over Meat Labelling Ruling

The United States has not changed its meat labelling rules since losing a World Trade Organization case brought by Canada and Mexico, according to the global trade body.

The WTO ruled in 2012 that the US's Cool (country of origin labelling) meat labelling programme discriminated against Canada and Mexico as it favoured domestic meat over beef and pork imports from those countries.

The current version of the American rules requires labels to list where meat animals were born, raised and slaughtered. Mexico and Canada argued that this effectively works as a trade barrier in disguise.

Any of the three parties can appeal against the latest ruling within 20 days, under an agreement between the countries.

If the revised US labelling rules fail to comply with WTO guidelines, both Canada and Mexico could ask the organisation to allow them to impose some trade sanctions against the US.

Should that scenario arise, the US would be allowed to challenge the amount.