COOL...is it nothing more than protectionism?

[Alberta farmer]

I don't know how COOL is affecting everyone, but here in Canada it sure has slowed down exports of feeder cattle. Doesn't seem to be as bad for slaughter cattle yet.
It has been pretty rough on the hog business as a lot of Canadian weaner pigs were shipped south to be finished and processed. I wonder where those American hog feeders/packers are sourcing pigs now?
I'm not sure if the American consumer is all that concerned about Canadian beef and pork? This COOL thing sort of got a boost from all the garbage coming in from China.
When the USA packers say they won't buy Canadian cattle/hogs because of the added cost/nuisance of keeping product seperate that really sets our cattle/hog industries at a disadvantage to the US producer.
I suspect there is a lot of cheap cow beef headed south in a box? We're killing cows up here like there is no tommorrow and they are sure going somewhere. I don't think there is much of a problem with cow beef heading south as it comes in a box stamped product of Canada?
Recently our dollar has fallen big time against the US dollar and that has helped to offset the COOL affect, but if it ever gets up to par again I think we are in big trouble!
In the short term I guess COOL will help the American cow/calf man but maybe not the feedlot or the packers and definitely not the American consumer? Does the American consumer really need higher beef and pork prices when the economy seems to be in the tank?

 

[Oldtimer]

Like you said garbage from China, other Asian countries, and Mexico have driven the demand by consumers to know what country their food comes from and to have it properly labeled so they can make an informed choice...

And with the "change" in the administration and a new party in power- I think you will see the M-COOL expanded to all food (even restaurant and institutional use) and many more restrictions and inspection requirements on imported products of all kinds- but especially foods and pharmaceuticals....

And you are correct on the "protectionism"...With the past 15 years of selling out jobs and industry to foreign entities- there is a pro-USA backlash that has built- and the people want a new direction that promotes USA industry, USA jobs, and USA infrastructure first...

The American people are slow to wrath, but once that wrath is kindled, it burns like a consuming flame. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

 

[Alberta farmer]

Oldtimer: To a certain extent I can agree with you and understand your disgust with how things have been going in the USA, as well as Canada, in regards to imports...and the resulting loss of jobs.
When I was young most of the products I bought were made in Canada or the USA...now pretty hard to find either?
Saw a show last night on Walmart and how just about every darned thing they sell comes from China. The CEO of Walmart was a pretty slick character and weaseled around most of the questions about what a sleazy outfit they were. I wonder what Sam Walton would have thought about his creation today? He seemed like a really decent guy, a good hard nosed businessman, and a true American?
I guess I'm like about half the world in that I sure hope President-elect Obama governs with wisdom and fixes up the mess left by his many predeccessors? I suspect once he gets the big picture he won't be so gungho on beating up Canada...we aren't the enemy...never have been, never will be.