Beef Origin Labeling Accountability Act

To require the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to determine a means of reinstating mandatory country of origin labeling for beef that is in compliance with all applicable rules of the World Trade Organization, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Beef Origin Labeling Accountability Act 2. Reinstatement of mandatory country of origin labeling for beef (a) In general The United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall determine a means of reinstating mandatory country of origin labeling for beef that is in compliance with all applicable rules of the World Trade Organization. (b) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter as appropriate, the United States Trade Representative shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes— (1) a description of progress in meeting the requirements of subsection (a); and (2) recommendations for legislation to implement the requirements of subsection (a), including the means of reinstating mandatory country of origin labeling for beef, if necessary, as well as engagements with the Trade Representative’s counterparts in other governments on this matter. (c) Consultations To resolve WTO dispute settlements The United States Trade Representative shall seek to enter into consultations with— (1) the Trade Representative’s counterpart in the Government of Canada to resolve the matters involved in the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement identified as DS384 United States–Certain Country of Origin Labeling Requirements (2) the Trade Representative’s counterpart in the Government of Mexico to resolve the matters involved in the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement identified as DS386 United States–Certain Country of Origin Labeling Requirements (d) Appropriate congressional committees In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.

Summary: Beef Origin Labeling Accountability ActThis bill directs the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, to determine a means of reinstating mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for beef that is compliant with World Trade Organization rules. (COOL is a labeling law that requires retailers, such as full-line grocery stores, supermarkets, and club warehouse stores, to notify their customers of information regarding the source of certain foods.)The USTR must submit a report to specified congressional committees that includes (1) a description of its progress in determining a means of reinstating mandatory COOL for beef, and (2) recommendations for legislation that may be necessary and any engagement with other governments on this matter.The USTR must also seek to enter into consultations with the governments of Canada and Mexico to resolve outstanding trade disputes related to COOL for beef.