… COOL is a protectionist program …Canada is the largest source of imported oil for the United States…

COOL is UNCOOL

Written by Neil Billinger - 600 Action News-Local First

Friday, 14 November 2008

Saskatoon Homepage

Saskatchewan's Agriculture Minister wants the federal government to take a stronger position on Country of Origin Labelling Legislation (COOL) in the United States.

The new rules, which went into effect at the end of September, require imported beef and pork to have a label going to the supermarket. The additional cost is said to be resulting in discounted prices for Canadian livestock.

Bob Bjornerud told SARM delegates in Saskatoon that he spoke with Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz earlier this week. He says "there are times when we as a country have to stand up and play hardball with them." Bjornerud adds COOL is a protectionist program that is contrary to the North American Free Trade Agreement. (NAFTA) The ag minister would not directly link the two issues . . . but points out that Canada is the largest source of imported oil for the United States.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association has already asked the federal government to launch trade action under NAFTA.

saskatoonhomepage.ca

Not So COOL

Discover Foothills - Alberta

Monday, November 17 2008

The Alberta Beef Producers have been urging livestock owners to contact Members of Parliament to urge trade action against U.S. Country of Origin Labeling.

Macleod MP Ted Menzies said Southern Alberta's politicians are getting the message and he's been in contact with the federal agriculture minister.

"I passed on the message I heard loud and clear at the Alberta Beef Producers meeting I attended in Fort Macleod", he said, "they're very concerned. The hog industry as well and I haven't heard as much from them but all you need to do is look at the hog numbers. We're selling off breeding stock at record numbers because Americans aren't going to be buying weanling pigs from Canada because it's not worth the hassle to them to separate the kill process".

Menzies said pork, beef or poultry that spends even one day in Canada has to be labeled as such but added final regulations are not yet in place.

discoverfoothills.com