Movement in hormone-beef row

12 October 2000



Movement in hormone-beef row

THE EU and USA are considering a proposals from the US beef industry to resolve the trade dispute over hormone-treated beef, reports the Financial Times.

Under these, the USA would reduce sanctions on $117m (81m) of EU imports if the EU agreed to expand access under a small existing quota for high-quality US beef.

The newspaper says this suggestion is not new, but EU officials believe it offers the basis for new negotiations.

The USA imposed sanctions last year after the EU refused to comply with a World Trade Organisation ruling that its ban was illegal.

The WTO said the ban was not backed by any scientific evidence that hormone-treated beef posed a danger to health.

• European threat to ban US meat, FWi, 31 January, 2000
• EC looks at beef hormone ruling, FWi, 10 February, 1999
  
• Financial Times 12/10/2000 page 10