CALGARY, Alberta — An organization that represents Canadian beef farmers said Friday it is seeking an injunction while a court in the U.S. hears its case against country of origin meat labeling.
The Canadian Cattlemen's Association said it is part of a coalition that has asked the U.S. District Court in Washington to delay the policy to be implemented in November.
The policy would require labels on meat products sold in the United States to contain detailed information about where the products come from.
The lawsuit claims that the rule would violate the U.S. Agriculture Marketing Act and is arbitrary.
The coalition that filed the injunction argues the policy would cause irreparable harm to the U.S. meat and livestock industry by increasing costs and making it more difficult for U.S. companies to buy Canadian products.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit also include the American Association of Meat Processors, American Meat Institute, Canadian Pork Council, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, North American Meat Association and Southwest Meat Association.
In 2009, the U.S. issued the requirement that retail outlets put country of origin labels on meat and other products in an effort to give U.S. consumers more information about their food.
A World Trade Organization ruling on meat labeling found the U.S. system discriminates against foreign livestock.
