EDMONTON, Alberta – Canadian beef and pork producers want their government to launch a trade challenge against the United States over the new mandatory Country-of-Origin labeling (COOL) law, reports said Monday.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has said since COOL went into effect on Oct. 1, American meat plants are refusing to accept Canadian cattle and hogs for processing.

Under country of origin labeling, Canadian cattle and pigs must be segregated in U.S. feedlots and packing plants, prompting some firms to only deal with American livestock. Canadian animals are also required to have more documentation about where they came from, and in the case of cattle, the animals must have tags that indicate they are free of mad cow disease.

The Canadian Pork Council reportedly said that American hog processing companies, such as Smithfield and Hormel, have already indicated they will no longer purchase hogs born outside of the states.

Canadian agriculture officials reportedly would not comment directly, other than to say that the federal government is working to mitigate the law's impact.

Source: Associated Press