Canada is disappointed that the US has decided to prolong the World Trade Organization (WTO) process dealing with Country of Origin Labelling (COOL).

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Minster of International Trade Ed Fast issued the statement in response to the US decision to seek arbitration at the WTO on the amount of damages caused by COOL.

Canada has requested WTO authority to impose retaliatory tariffs of more than $3 billion annually on US exports due to damages caused by COOL.

"The U.S. is out of options and retaliation cannot be avoided by drawing out this process.

The Chief Economist for the United States Department of Agriculture has stated that COOL is costing the American industry alone some $2.6 billion (USD) annually. Canada is confident in our assessment that COOL is causing more than $3 billion in annual damages to the Canadian cattle and hog industry.

In all previous rulings, the WTO has found Canada’s economic analysis regarding COOL to be robust. Our analysis was quantified by Daniel Sumner, a world-renowned specialist in agricultural economics.

Our government’s position remains unchanged. The only way for the United States to avoid billions in retaliation by late summer is to ensure legislation repealing COOL passes the Senate and is signed by the President."