Oh Canada, Not Michigan
Oh Canada, why us?
Canada is not happy with the United States and may take it out at least in part on the state of Michigan.
Canada is planning to put tariffs on Michigan products, including meat, apples, pasta and furniture.
What are they upset with the U.S.? A regulation was passed in 2002 called Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it requires that retailers notify their customers regarding the source of certain grocery products, including meat.
Canada was not happy and filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2008 regarding the labeling standards.
Why was Canada not happy, because they believed if Canadian livestock was sent to the U.S. for slaughter, the meat would still be labeled as Canadian, which could put meat from Canada at a competitive disadvantage. They believed that this violated a WTO agreement, the WTO found. The U.S. revised its rule, but the WTO found it still did not comply.
“Our government is extremely disappointed that the United States continues to uphold this protectionist policy, which the WTO has ruled to be unfair, and we call on the United States to abide by the WTO ruling,” Canada Minister of International Trade Ed Fast and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gerry Ritz told MLive last year.
As some callers pointed out today on my show, why should they be concerned about people knowing their meat came from Canada?
What might they be hiding?
If you would like to add your point of view please comment here or call me tomorrow on the Live with Renk show, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon, to let me know your thoughts at 269-441-9595.