Canada has issued a response to proposed changes to voluntary meat labelling legislation in the United States.

The Biden government is proposing that to get a Product of USA label, the food product must be grown and processed in the States. Currently, that USA label can be placed on beef or pork from an animal raised in Canada—but processed south of the border.

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says the Canada and U.S. livestock and meat sectors are highly integrated, which ensures a reliable supply of high-quality products.

Canada will closely review the proposed amendments which will be open for public comment until the first week of May.

Canada fought a six year battle with the United States between 2009 and 2015 over mandatory country of origin labelling—-known as COOL. An international trade panel ruled in Canada’s favor and would allow the imposition of tariffs if the mandatory country of origin labelling was ever re-introduced. However, this new proposal uses the word voluntary.