Livestock producers prepare for COOL

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

LONDON — A country of origin labeling law that has been on the books in the U.S. since 2002 but stalled as the country's politicians figure out just how to implement it will likely come into effect this fall. But Mark McConnell, a trade lawyer representing the interests of Ontario's swine producers on the issue, predicts some sort of transition period or moratorium on enforcement will be introduced. The intervention would allow the U.S. livestock industry to adjust and, in the process, soften the blow on Canadian producers during the law's first few months of existence.