Mexico Turns to WTO in Challenge to COOL Regulations

Shortly after Canada filed its challenge to U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) requirements, Mexico apparently followed suit, asking the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish a panel to undertake a dispute settlement process. Mexico’s agricultural authority reportedly contends that the rules may unfairly discriminate against the country’s meat industry by requiring U.S. meat processors to segregate imported meats. This has allegedly led some U.S. processors to stop buying meat from Mexico or Canada. The panel request is reportedly scheduled to be considered during an October 23, 2009, meeting of WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body. See Product Liability Law 360, October 12, 2009.