“Gregg Doud: U.S.-EU Take First Step in Resolving Twenty-Year Beef Trade Dispute”

The U.S and EU have signed an agreement to expand U.S. beef access to Europe. The agreement is seen as a positive step forward in resolving a longstanding trade dispute.

http://www.beefusa.org/uDocs/GDCut #1FINAL.wma

The EU has cited the use of growth-promoting hormones in U.S. cattle as the reason for imposing a trade barrier on U.S. beef for the past twenty years—despite the fact that these growth promotants have all been scientifically proven safe through rigorous FDA testing.

http://www.beefusa.org/uDocs/GDCut #2FINAL.wma

The agreement will allow the U.S to export to the EU an additional 20,000 metric tons of non-hormone treated beef at zero duty. After three years, it will allow an extra 25,000 metric tons, for a total of 45,000 metric tons at zero duty. After 18 months, either or both parties will be free to request a WTO panel if they are not satisfied with the new arrangement.

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