U.S. Trade Representative Rejects European Union's Claim of Scientific Justification for Beef Ban

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has rejected the European Union's (E.U.) claim that its ban on beef from hormone-treated cattle is now justified by science. The E.U. had asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to rule against the U.S. and Canadian retaliatory sanctions, but USTR spokesman Richard Mills stated that the E.U. ban remains in place and is still unsupported by any scientific rationale. This decision follows a 1998 WTO ruling against the prohibition of hormone-treated beef.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Trade Representative rejected the European Union's claim that its ban on beef from hormone-treated cattle is now justified by science.
  • The USTR stated that the E.U. ban remains in place and is still unsupported by any scientific rationale.
  • The U.S. and Canada imposed 100% tariffs on E.U. goods worth $116.8 million and C$11.3 million, respectively, as a retaliatory measure.
  • The E.U. changed its legislation on banning U.S. and Canadian beef about a year ago, but the U.S. and Canada did not lift their retaliatory sanctions.
  • E.U. Commission Delegation in the U.S. spokesman Anthony Gooch stated that the new legislation includes a comprehensive risk assessment that proves the hormones used on cattle in the U.S. and Canada are dangerous to humans who consume the beef produced.
  • USTR's chief agriculture negotiator, Allen Johnson, dismissed E.U. claims as not scientifically valid in October 2003, stating that "there's no new science."

Statistics:

  • $116.8 million: The value of U.S. tariffs imposed on E.U. goods as a retaliatory measure.
  • C$11.3 million: The value of Canadian tariffs imposed on E.U. goods as a retaliatory measure.
  • 1998: The year the WTO ruled against the prohibition of hormone-treated beef.
  • 2003: The year USTR's chief agriculture negotiator, Allen Johnson, dismissed E.U. claims as not scientifically valid.
  • 2004: The year the USTR rejected the E.U.'s claim of scientific justification for its beef ban.

Sources:

  • Dow Jones Newswires; 202-646-0088; btomson@osterdowjones.com
  • http://www.comtexnews.com
  • Washington, Nov 08, 2004 (ODJ via COMTEX)