Europe could ban US meat
31 January 2000
Europe could ban US meat
By FWi staff
A TRADE war with the USA could be looming after a new report cast doubt on the safety of American meat.
At present, the EU bans beef from cattle treated with hormones to make them grow faster.
New evidence could see this extended to cover all American meat and meat products.
If the EU followed this course of action, it could expect severe retaliatory measures from the USA, far exceeding those imposed in the current dispute.
Alarm has been raised by EU inspectors who, after an exhaustive survey, conclude that all US meat is suspect because it may contain traces of the hormone.
The team told their bosses that regulations are not being enforced and meat production not monitored properly.
This could mean hormone-treated meats being mixed with non-hormone treated meat.
They claim hormones not implanted in the correct place; cases of multiple implants; and black-market substances in US meat.
Residue testing was inadequate, and inspection under US and Canadian rules do not allow for regular checks to be made, reports the team.
Minister of Agriculture Nick Brown told the BBC Radio 4s Farming Today that, while he hoped a trade war could be averted, if practices were found to be unsafe, US meat should be banned.
“If the practice itself isnt safe, we shouldnt allow it on to the market.
“If it is safe and consumers have fears about it, we should allow for consumer choice.”
But he admitted the report raised concerns about traceability, which would allow consumer choice.
“There is this vexed question as to whether there is true traceability in the USA between the hormone-treated beef and non-hormone treated beef.
“The evidence seems to be emerging that there isnt the clear distinction which is the current EU requirement.”
Britain opposed the EU ban on hormone-treated beef, arguing there was no scientific evidence to back health fears.
However, one of the group of scientists which advised the government on the health risk from hormone-treated beef said their conclusions depended on the USA obeying the rules.
The US Department of Agriculture has posted a point-by-point rebuttal of the EU accusations on the Internet.
But if top EU officials cannot be convinced, a blanket ban on US beef could be in place by 15 February.