Country-of-origin label for meat cuts endangered

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2013 file photo, various cuts of beef and pork are displayed for sale in the meat department at a discount market in Arlington, Va. The U.S. is running out of options to keep package labels on fresh cuts of meat that identify where animals were born, raised and slaughtered. The World Trade Organization has ruled that those labels discriminate against Canada and Mexico. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2013 file photo, various cuts of beef and pork are displayed for sale in the meat department at a discount market in Arlington, Va. The U.S. is running out of options to keep package labels on fresh cuts of meat that identify where animals were born, raised and slaughtered. The World Trade Organization has ruled that those labels discriminate against Canada and Mexico. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

By Associated Press November 20, 2014 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. is running out of options in its effort to tell consumers where fresh cuts of meat originated.

U.S. law requires that certain cuts of meat carry country-of-origin information. But Canada and Mexico oppose those labels, saying they give the U.S. livestock industry an unfair advantage. The World Trade Organization has ruled in favor of Canada and Mexico.

The United States has not yet said whether it will appeal the WTO decision. If it stands, Canada and Mexico could retaliate against the U.S. with other trade sanctions.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA has reviewed the options – and there aren’t many left. He says Congress either needs to change the law or a settlement needs to be reached.