The Canadian Cattlemen's Association has renewed its efforts to free up trade between Canada and the U.S.

"We have been busy in Washington, taking time to get down there to talk to our industry counterparts and allies, the USDA, congressmen and senators. We've focused on COOL, basically our perspective from the Canadian Cattlemen's side," says President Travis Toews. "We feel it's important to start to do some groundwork ahead of the WTO panel ruling which is due in July."

Toews just returned from a visit to Capitol Hill.

"We're not opposed to country-of-origin labelling as a whole. We don't take exception that Canadian beef needs to be labelled 'Canadian' going into the U.S. Our concern is really with the very narrow part of the rule that deals with live cattle that are born in Canada and ultimately processed in the U.S.," he says.

He feels the lobbying is paying off.

"There's a perception that we're simply opposed to COOL as a whole, and that, should we win the case, we would require that the whole rule be revoked," says Toews. "That's not necessarily the case. I think we've had a good reception. Folks have been willing to listen and I think our message has resonated."

~ Friday, February 18, 2011 ~