The meat industry is warning USDA’s proposed Product of USA label rule could have market impacts, and in turn, put the U.S. at risk for a trade war.
It would require meat with that label to have been born, raised, slaughtered, and processed within the United States. Respondents to an open comment period said the rule reminds them of the mandatory country of origin labeling, which the World Trade Organization said was discriminatory.
The National Pork Producers Council says they have had issues in the past with trade partners and these types of labels. Council President Scott Hays says he does not feel it is worth the risk of our foreign markets to explore this option yet again.
