Canada had requested WTO consultations last year over the initial COOL rule, but it relented when the U.S. government adjusted the rule to make it more flexible. The country renewed its complaint after USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced voluntary additions to the COOL rule that he would make mandatory if the meat-processing industry didn’t comply.

"Recent instructions from the U.S. secretary of agriculture encouraging U.S. industry to use very strict labeling practices have removed the flexibility previously envisioned in the legislation and will affect the ability of our cattle and hog exporters to compete fairly in the U.S. market," Canadian Trade Minister Stockwell Day said.