The Canadian government has taken another step toward following through on its two-year-old threat to retaliate against U.S. country of origin labeling (COOL) unless the meat labeling rules are repealed. Canada's trade and agriculture ministers — Ed Fast and Gerry Ritz — joined Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, and Enrique Martínez y Martínez,... Read More
Category: Cattle
If you’re keeping tabs on Ontario’s beef industry this Local Food Week, you’ve seen how a company’s profile can grow when it markets its brand effectively, promotes itself tirelessly, and stands on values instead of gimmicks. A prime example is VG Meats, which seems to be popping up everywhere. VG stands for Van Gronigen, a... Read More
The threat of retaliation from Canada and Mexico is forcing American lawmakers and farm groups to weigh whether it's worth maintaining the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) rules for meat. The American Farm Bureau Federation, which describes itself as the largest general farm organization in the U.S., announced Wednesday it has decided to back... Read More
The Peterson Farm Bros might be American, but their latest effort gives a decisive nod to their northern neighbours with this Bachman Turner Overdrive parody, "Takin' Care of Livestock." All three brothers are joined by their sister in this livestock feeding frenzy, but it's not just their parents that make a cameo! Farmers, farm kids,... Read More
North America's largest food retailer, Walmart, unveiled its positions on animal welfare and the use of antibiotics in farm animals on Friday. Strangely enough, farm groups and animal rights organizations alike applauded the company's animal care guidelines. While both sides are welcoming Walmart's positions, if you dig a bit deeper, there are conflicting views on... Read More
Canadian beef industry leaders have established an endowment fund to support "the sustainable advancement and legacy of the Canadian beef industry." The Canadian Cattlemen's Foundation will have three main focus areas within the beef sector: youth and leadership development, environmental sustainability, and research. “If we want to see our industry thrive in the future we... Read More
It’s been a big week for the beef industry, with news that the World Trade Organization has ruled against Country of Origin Labeling for a fourth and final time and the subsequent — almost immediate — introduction and approval of a bill to repeal it by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. But, what does all... Read More
When Canada's agriculture and trade ministers --- as everybody expected following the World Trade Organization's latest ruling against U.S. country of origin labeling --- promised to retaliate unless the labeling rules are repealed, virtually all Canadian livestock producer groups and provincial governments who benefit from cross-border cattle and hog trade applauded the federal government's swift... Read More
On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Members of Parliament Michael Chong and Harold Albrecht today announced an investment of $183, 929 to help ensure the safe transportation of livestock and poultry. "Our Government is proud to support industry-led initiatives that help to ensure the welfare of farm animals in Canada," said Chong. "The transportation... Read More
Update on May 20th: The U.S. House Agriculture Committee, as expected, approved Chair Michael Conoway’s bill to repeal COOL on Wednesday morning by a vote of 38-6. It’s expected the entire House will vote on it in early June. The final ruling from the World Trade Organization against U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling and... Read More