It can take a long time to fight an unfair trade rule.

Back in September 2008, the United States introduced Country of Original Labelling legislation--known as COOL.

It forced the implementation of a burdensome and costly tracking system for Canadian cattle and hogs going into the United States.

Between 2008 and 2009, Canadian feeder cattle exports to the U.S declined 48 per cent. It was a 58 per cent drop for slaughter hogs.

After a number of previous trade rulings in Canada's favor, the United States has lost its final appeal of the case with the World Trade Organization. 

In additon to lost sales and lower price, COOL has cost a lot of money to challenge at the WTO.

"The Canadian Cattlemen's Association expenses have been almost $2 million in advocacy and legal fees on this trade file," said CCA President Martin Unrau. "As COOL has taken several hundreds millions of dollars out of Canadian cattle producers' pockets, I feel it was well worth the expense and effort to achieve this final decision."

Unrau hopes the U.S. government will move soon to make the necessary changes to its legislation.

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