March 27, 2024

Mexico considers final US labeling rule for meat, poultry and egg "discriminatory"

Mexico's Secretariat of Economy (SE) has rejected on March 14 the final labeling rule for meat, poultry and egg products recently announced by the United States, considering it "discriminatory" against Mexican producers and creating barriers in bi-national production chains.

" Mexico's Secretariat of Economy rejects the recent announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding the finalisation of the "Product of USA" labeling rule procedure," the agency stated in a statement.

The SE made the statement in response to the USDA's announcement, which indicated that the "Product of USA" labeling will be exclusive when the products are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in that country.

The SE emphasised that the measure threatens to generate disruptive effects in food chains, as well as logistical complications and additional costs, which would ultimately end up being paid by Mexican producers, "but above all by US consumers".

It also stated that the measure violates the principles of economic integration that underpin the Mexico, United States and Canada Agreement (T-MEC), and is counterproductive at a time when the productive linkage between the three North American nations has intensified as never before.

The SE further urged US authorities to reconsider the rule and intensify dialogue with their Mexican counterparts to avoid negative repercussions on bilateral trade. It reiterated its commitment to constructive dialogue to resolve differences with the United States, which it described as "its main trading partner".

The SE warned that it is "carefully" analysing the possibility of using the mechanisms available in both the T-MEC and the WTO to ensure that the United States complies with its commitments regarding Technical Barriers to Trade.

- aviNews