Agriculture would be excluded from New Transatlantic Marketplace

04 March 1998

Agriculture would be excluded from "New Transatlantic Marketplace"

EUROPEAN Commissioners meeting in Brussels today are expected to discuss proposals for a “New Transatlantic Marketplace” in a bid to bolster trade relations with the US.

Brussels officials suggest it could provide the biggest boost to transatlantic trade since the Uruguay Round.

The plans will attempt to remove trade barriers, cut industrial tariffs, harmonise rules and open up free trade in the services area.

But certain areas considered “neuralgic” for either side – such as agriculture – would be excluded. Both sides have concerns over the increase in trade disputes over issues such as hormone-treated beef, meat safety, the EUs banana import regime and efforts to control BSE.

• Financial Times 04/03/98 page 8
  
• The Guardian 04/03/98 page 19