This week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the administration won’t likely appeal the WTO ruling against U.S. Country of Origin Labeling until sometime in January. That possible delay is because the WTO is backlogged with other appeal cases. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson whose group wants the decision appealed says delaying it until early next year really doesn’t hurt.
Canadian Prime Minister Gerry Ritz has demanded the U.S. get rid of COOL altogether. He says an appeal just delays the inevitable and has threatened retaliatory tariffs on a broad range of U.S. products. Johnson says it’s at least twelve months before any retaliation can occur and a loss must be proved.
Johnson says delaying the appeal actually helps the U.S. build their case for achieving compliance with WTO rules.
Johnson says the analysis done by NFU suggests there’s been no economic loss from COOL. He says before the WTO will grant any retaliation they’ll take testimony and hear evidence before determining whether or not it’s justified.