CCA Reacts to Voluntary Product of USA Labeling Ruling

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is disappointed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a final Product of USA labeling rule that adopts the most onerous standard in the world – namely that to qualify for the label meat must be derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the US – while failing to give meaningful consideration to other options that would have respected the high level of integration in our North American supply chains and food systems. The integration of the North American live cattle and beef supply chain is unlike anywhere else in the world, contributing to both food security and local and regional food systems. The U.S. and Canada have the largest two-way trade in live cattle and beef in the world. U.S. small and medium sized processors and local and regional food systems rely on Canadian cattle to thrive and stay in business. “It is crucial to address any issues that threaten or diminish cattle and beef trade between