EU Seeks Lift of Sanctions in Hormone-Treated Beef Dispute
The EU says it has made its ban on hormone-treated beef 'compliant' with the WTO agreement.
Compiled by staff
Published: Dec 24, 2008
Earlier this week, the European Union requested consultations with the U.S. and Canada in the World Trade Organization concerning compliance of its ban on hormone-treated beef. The EU reports it has removed WTO inconsistencies identified by the Appellate Body in 1998, making the restrictions on imports of hormone-treated beef compliant with the WTO agreement.
In a recent dispute brought by the EU against the continued trade sanctions of the U.S. and Canada, the Appellate Body found that the EU, U.S. and Canada must engage in "so-called compliance proceedings to verify the WTO-compatibility of the current EU legislation and the legality of the sanctions imposed by U.S. and Canada on EU exports," according to a release from the EU.
The ban on hormone-treated beef, a long-time dispute between North American producers and EU importers, drags on as the EU tweaks its ban. In a release about the ban, Peter Powers, spokesperson for the EU, says: "We are convinced that our legislation on hormones is fully in line with WTO law: the restrictions on hormone-treated beef are based on solid scientific evidence showing risks for human health." This is a charge the U.S. beef industry vigorously denies.
The U.S. and Canada imposed sanctions against the EU over the matter in the summer of 1999 including a 100% import duty on EU exports to the value of $116.8 million U.S. and $11.3 million in Canadian dollars. These duties have been applied to a range of ag products and some manufactured goods. The EU seeks to end those duties.
If you're looking for more information from the European perspective on this issue, visit ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/respectrules/dispute/pr221208_en.htm
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