NEWS RELEASE
July 23, 2010

Ottawa, ON – James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake met yesterday with Ambassador Ronald Kirk, United States Trade Representative, to discuss the impacts of U.S. mandatory country-of-origin labelling rules (COOL) on Canadian agriculture.

In a meeting facilitated by Minister of International Trade, Hon. Peter Van Loan, Mr. Bezan discussed the importance of open trade and the negative impacts of COOL on Canadian red meat producers.

“I appreciate the opportunity to voice the concerns of my constituents and livestock producers across Canada with Mr. Kirk,” said Bezan. “Minister Van Loan has worked hard on this file and I appreciate his assistance in setting up this meeting.”

Mr. Bezan raised the issue of market and trade injury inflicted upon Canadian livestock and red meat exports to the U.S. market. He noted that COOL was also greatly reducing productivity and competitiveness for the U.S. meat and agricultural industries.

In testimony at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on June 18, 2009, Patrick Boyle, President of American Meat Institute criticized COOL saying first year costs include “$299 million for the pork industry and $1.25 billion for the beef industry. Moreover, USDA estimated a loss in productivity after a 10 year period of adjustment in excess of $211 million.” According to the Final Rule published January 15, 2009 first year implementation costs for affected industries were estimated at $2.6 billion.

“It is my hope that Ambassador Kirk will show the same leadership on COOL as he did with softwood lumber and the “Buy American” policy, and find a mutually acceptable compromise so that the integrated North American livestock market can return to normal,” stated Bezan.

“I appreciate the commitment of Ambassador Kirk to Canada on other trade initiatives and his appreciation of the important relationship between our two great countries; strategically, and economically, as friends, neighbours and allies,” Bezan concluded.