Congress recently repealed a labeling law that required information about where meat was born, raised and slaughtered. The meat industry had been pressing for this move since the early 2000’s, the AP reports.

Prior to the ban, a label might read, “Born in Canada, raised and slaughtered in the United States" or "born, raised and slaughtered in the United States."

Due to Congress’ action, the government will immediately stop requiring the labels on meat packaging. Many consumer groups are disappointed with the ruling, however, as most labeling initiatives are designed to provide more information to the customer. The move came after the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled against the labels and “recently authorized Canada and Mexico, which had challenged the law, to begin more than $1 billion in economic retaliation against the United States.”

Not only did the labels encourage informed decisions on buying, they also promoted the purchase of American meat. Congress enacted the original legislature in 2002 after fears had been raised over mad cow disease. The meat industry protested the rulings, which delayed the labels’ appearance on most packaging until 2009.

Congress did not completely change course on food labels, though. Lawmakers continued the plan to label genetically modified products, including a provision by Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska that requires the labeling of genetically modified salmon that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

According to agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack, lawmakers will continue to explore a middle ground in regard to genetically modified foods “in a way that doesn't create significant market disruption, while at the same time recognizing consumers' need to know and right to know basic information."