Our food labeling regulations are more and more being determined by other countries these days, rather than by our own citizens, thanks to free trade agreements. Here's a current example:
A law mandating country-of-origin labeling for beef was enacted in 2008, and it was amended in 2012 in order to appease Canada and Mexico. But world trade agreements trump consumer preferences of residents, so now Canada and Mexico are pushing the right buttons to get the law repealed, after receiving a ruling in their favor from the World Trade Organization (WTO), based on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since this clearly demonstrates how free-trade agreements can undermine and override U.S. laws, many food activists and their government representatives are more than a little upset. And this certainly spills over to affect first amendment rights, and that affects all of us in an even more profound way.
Even chocolate? Obviously they will stop at nothing to get their way.With Canada and Mexico threatening to unleash $2 billion in retaliatory tariffs against U.S. products, including wine, farm products and even chocolate, House Republicans are moving rapidly to repeal a law requiring that beef carry a label giving its country of origin.
Push to undo beef-label law as Mexico, Canada threaten tariffsRep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said the ruling shows how trade agreements allow other countries “to take down democratically enacted” laws “designed to give American consumers essential information about the origin of their food.”
So now this country has lost its right to create its own food labels. It has effectively bartered away it's sovereignty. I grew up in a proud and sovereign nation. But now it appears that I no longer live in a sovereign country. Is that sad, or what? This trend will surely continue, as our position in world markets continues to suffer, and as a result, our once-proud position as a world power, and our influence in the world, will continue to dwindle.
Paint me bummed out.
Tex
