Slaughterhouse rules violating trade agreement: Easter

CBC News - Canada

November 12, 2008

Red tape surrounding a U.S. labelling law is leading some American slaughterhouses to violate Canada's trade agreements with the United States, says Liberal agriculture critic Wayne Easter.

The Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling law came into effect in late September, and Easter told CBC News on Wednesday that the law is creating problems for American meat plants that process Canadian cattle, hogs, lamb and poultry. As a result, some of those plants are restricting the amount of Canadian livestock they accept.

Easter said Ottawa should start trade actions against the U.S. over the issue.

"Slaughter plants are only scheduling those animals in for certain days. There is a lot of confusion around the new program," he said.

"The government of Canada needs to challenge it under the WTO rules. It really is a violation of the free trade and the NAFTA agreement that we've signed with the United States."

If some American meat processing companies refuse to process Canadian animals, or place limits on the time or quantity, then some Canadian producers will have to find other avenues to market their livestock.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association and the Canadian Pork Council have already been complaining about the problem.

cbc.ca