MEXICO CITY (MarketWatch) -- Mexico plans to defend a World Trade Organization ruling against meat-labeling requirements after the U.S. appealed the decision on Friday, the Economy Ministry said.

The final decision is expected to come by the end of June.

Last November, the WTO ruled that the country-of-origin requirements, known as COOL, discriminate against beef and pork from Canada and Mexico.  

After the U.S. appealed the decision, the Mexican ministry said it would stand by its argument that the requirements "constitute an unnecessary obstacle to trade," and don't meet the objective of providing information for consumers.

The ministry said U.S. processing plants, in order to comply with the labeling rules, limit purchases of Mexican livestock and also apply discounts of up to $60 per head.

Source: Market Watch