Gerry-Ritz-2013
Gerry Ritz (photo: Steinbah online)

Hog producers are hoping they will get some of the proceeds if the federal government implements retaliatory tariffs against the US for its country of origin labeling rules.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says Ottawa is considering imposing $1 billion per year in tariffs if the Americans fail to soften the impact of COOL by the World Trade Organization's May 23rd deadline.

A resolution to have the Manitoba Pork Council work with the Canadian Pork Council to encourage Ottawa to pass those dollars on to livestock producers was passed at the MPC annual meeting last week.

"The way the laws are written today the government keeps any retaliatory money. The resolution was written to encourage us to work with the Canadian Pork Council in asking the government to have that retaliatory moneys go back to producers," says MPC Chair Karl Kynoch.

He says it's producers who have felt the impact of the meat labeling rules.

"They're the ones who are getting hurt. They would like to see the retaliatory money, if there will be some, come back to those who were directly hurt by COOL," says Kynoch.

Ritz has said it might take up to two years for retaliatory tariffs to be imposed.