UFCW Statement on USMCA Trade Agreement
posted October 1, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), issued the following statement regarding news that the United States, Mexico and Canada reached an agreement (USMCA) to change parts of the North American Free Trade Agreement that excludes Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). COOL requires meat sold at retail to have a label informing consumers of the country where the product was sourced.
“A trade agreement without COOL is terrible for sustainable jobs and food safety.
“Every hard-working family deserves to know where their food comes from.
“Keeping this information hidden endangers our health and destroys middle class meat processing jobs across our country.
“We urge the U.S. Trade Representative to do the right thing and take immediate steps to ensure COOL is included in a final agreement.”
BACKGROUND:
The top five meat producing states that would benefit from COOL are Iowa, North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, and Arkansas.
The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries.
Our members help put food on our nation’s tables and serve customers in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at www.ufcw.org.
[…] their food and where it is produced, and worsens the devastating impacts of climate change.” . Marc Perrone, President, United Food and Commercial Workers: “A trade agreement without COOL is terrible for sustainable jobs and food safety. Every […]
[…] their food and where it is produced, and worsens the devastating impacts of climate change.” . Marc Perrone, President, United Food and Commercial Workers: “A trade agreement without COOL is terrible for sustainable jobs and food safety. Every […]