«The cattle has been for most part of their lives have been in the United States. It’s the same meat.» said Jose Luis Gabilondo, director of the Santa Teresa Livestock Crossing
About 400,000 head of cattle enter the U.S. annually through the livestock crossing managed by the Chihuahua Cattle Association and paid for by association members.
The minute the animals step foot on U.S. soil, they are separated from U.S. herds if the cattle is to be sold as beef. U.S. rules require meat labels identify where an animal was born, raised and slaughtered.
Consumer groups say Americans have a right to know the origin of the meat they buy. But Mexico and Canada complained to the WTO that the labels discriminate against imported livestock that meet the same safety standards. The WTO ruled in their favor.
«This is just the latest example of how multinational companies use the global trade system to attack basic protections for U.S. consumers,» said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter in a statement released after the ruling.
Some members of Congress are pushing to get rid of the label requirement to avoid looming trade sanctions.
«The case also highlights how international trade deals can trump the will of the American public and Congress,» said Hauter.
Opponents argue labels do not take into account cattle that that are born in Mexico are often raised in the United States.
«If they had targeted animals coming from foreign feedlots in the U.S. to be killed over here, that were not fed under U.S. supervision and US products, I could understand the labeling necessity,» said Burner.
«But when the cattle are over here for year before they ever hit the marketplace, I don’t know why that discrimination exists,» said Burner.
Mexico and Canada are threatening to impose costly trade sanctions, unless the U.S. removes the meat labeling requirement. Both countries argue the rule is more about protecting the U.S. cattle industry rather than promoting food safety.
«We do more tests in Mexico than the United States,» said Gabilondo of the cattle that crosses the border.
On the Mexican side of the livestock crossing, USDA inspectors are present to examine paperwork and check the animals before they enter the U.S.
«It’s what we have to do in in order to bring them across,» said Gabilondo.
Source: WFAA
