United States Cattlemen Association members are expressing disappointment with the remake of NAFTA, the USMCA. USCA President Kenny Graner who ranches in North Dakota says while the deal was positive for some parts of U.S agriculture, cattle producers didn’t fare as well. He was particularly disappointed Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling was left out.
He says depending on what happens with Trade Promotion Authority they may be able to push Congress to amend the USMCA to include COOL but right now they’re considering their options.
Graner was also disappointed the USMCA didn’t include any safeguards for U.S. cattle producers.
Graner says they had told President Trump that a modernized NAFTA could reinstate COOL and prevent U.S. agriculture jobs from being outsourced to other countries that can produce beef at a lower cost.
