On July 25, Idaho Agriculture Secretary/Director Patrick Takasugi co-chaired a meeting of the U.S./Canada Accord Working Group along with Alberta's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Shirley McClellan on the country of origin labeling law that was established by the 2002 farm bill.

USDA and Canadian agricultural officials presented information on current trade between Canada and the U.S. in sheep, cattle, swine, and the red meat market. It was pointed out that 6.8 percent of U.S. slaughtered cattle are imported. This accounts for 2.4 million head out of 35.5 million. In swine, 5.4 percent of 98 million hogs slaughtered in the U.S. are imported. This equals 5.3 million hogs.

In the afternoon session, U.S. and Canadian officials discussed potential outcomes of the law and achieved a better understanding of the implementation process. Meeting reports and the various presentations are posted below.

In preparation for the meeting, NASDA held a teleconference call with industry representatives on July 24 to hear their views on the implementation process. The notes from the call are also posted below. (NASDA contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen)

MEETING MATERIALS

MEETING NOTES [PDF]

TELECONFERENCE NOTES [PDF]

MEETING PARTICIPATION LIST [PDF]

FINAL AGENDA [PDF]

INVITATION LETTER

PRESENTATION MATERIALS

Canada Country-of-Origin Labelling Federal Regulations [PDF]
Phillip G. Douglas, Deputy Director, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Canadian Hog and Pork Trade with USA, 2001 [PDF]
Alan Carson, Manitoba Agriculture & Food

Country of Origin Labeling [PDF]
Kenneth Clayton, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

Country of Origin Labeling for Meat Products, Canadian Cattle and Beef Trade [PDF]
Darren Chase, Livestock Analyst, Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development

Country of Origin Labeling: Livestock and Meat [PDF]
H. Lee Schatz, Deputy Director, Livestock & Poultry, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA