Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that Canada's Minister of Agriculture is in Chicago today to meet with American and Mexican representatives to highlight the importance of free and open trade. This is a unique opportunity for all three NAFTA countries to promote the integrated nature of our agriculture and food industry.
Since NAFTA came into force, North American agricultural trade has quadrupled to over $1 billion a week. However, U.S. country of origin labelling continues to be a serious roadblock against Canadian cattle and hog exports.
Our government has challenged COOL at the WTO, and the WTO has made it clear: COOL is a blatant trade discrimination. That is why the minister is sending a clear message to our friends in the U.S. that it is time to fall into line with its obligations to the global trading community.
We continue to stand with our farmers and ranchers, and we are prepared to seek authorization from the WTO to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports if COOL is not resolved.
Trade is what drives our economies, and we must continue to work together to grow our agriculture industries and operate our markets under science-based rules that reduce barriers to trade.