Mexico suspends meat imports from 30 U.S. plants

Mexico has suspended meat imports from 30 U.S. processing plants, including some run by leading packers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture website shows.

The plants were added to the list on Wednesday and Friday.

Some reports suggested Mexico was retaliating against a U.S. law that came into effect on Oct. 1 requiring meat products sold in the United States to have a label showing their country of origin.

However, Reuters reported that Mexican officials are concerned that some U.S. imports failed to meet packaging, labelling and other standards, and the suspension could be lifted as soon as Monday.

Canada complained to the World Trade Organization about the labelling law in early December, claiming the rule is intended to help the U.S. meat industry by blocking imports from other countries.

“We believe that the country-of-origin legislation is creating undue trade restrictions to the detriment of Canadian exporters,” Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day said in a statement on Dec. 2.

Washington brought in the new labelling laws to ensure that pork, beef and other meats given the "made in the USA" stamp of approval were actually raised in the United States.

But Canadian producers said U.S. facilities are refusing to accept Canadian beef or other meats, arguing the resulting food will not be eligible to carry the U.S. stamp.

The country-of-origin labelling (COOL) "is having a damaging impact on the prosperity of the Canadian cattle industry," Brad Wildeman, president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, said in October.

"Some U.S. facilities will no longer accept Canadian livestock and most still do restrict acceptance to certain days and at reduced prices."

Mexico joined the WTO complaint on Dec. 18.

Six plants run by the U.S. packer Tyson Foods were on the list, but spokesman Archie Schaffer III said the company only found out about the ban when shipments to Mexico were turned back on Wednesday.

"No information or explanation was given," he said.

With files from the Associated Press