Mexico suspends buys from 30 US meat plants (Reuters) {fight over COOL?}

[eppur_se_muova]

26 Dec 2008 22:33:12 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Corrects day to Tuesday in 3rd paragraph) (Recasts, adds Mexico response, details, byline)

By Bob Burgdorfer

CHICAGO, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Mexico has suspended purchases from 30 U.S. meat plants, some of which are the largest in the country, due to sanitary issues, but U.S. analysts argue Mexico is retaliating for a U.S. meat labeling law that allegedly could hurt Mexican meat sales here.

Mexico denied the retaliation charge and said purchases from the affected plants could resume as early as Monday.

USDA on Friday listed the affected plants on its website, but the suspensions became effective on Tuesday. The listed plants produce beef, lamb, pork, and poultry and can be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/lmexico.htm.
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Under the labeling law, commonly called Country-of-Origin Labeling or COOL, meat packages in U.S. supermarkets must carry labels stating the countries where the meat animals were raised.
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Canadian and Mexican officials have opposed the law arguing that it will have U.S. meat plants and consumers discriminating against non-U.S. animals and meat. Both countries ship livestock into the United States.
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more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N26270309.htm

Great -- whom do I consider more trustworthy, Mexican politicians or Bu**sh**'s USDA?