The World Trade Organization Appellate Body has issued its “compliance report” in the case “United States — Country of origin labelling requirements.” The panel found that the WTO Panel did not err in its previous rulings against the United States and in favor of Canada and Mexico. Those countries had charged that the U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law for muscle cuts of beef and pork was discriminatory against their imported products.
“The Appellate Body recommends that the DSB (Dispute Settlement Body) request the United States to bring its measures found in this Report, and in the Canada [and Mexico – ed.] Panel Report as modified by this Report, to be inconsistent with the GATT 1994 and the TBT Agreement into conformity with its obligations under those Agreements,” reads the WTO’s conclusion.