U.S. Associations Weigh in on WTO Beef Dispute with EU

U.S. Associations Weigh in on WTO Beef Dispute with EU

 

USMEF has joined with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the American Meat Institute (AMI) to recommend that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) enact targeted tariffs against exports from the European Union (EU).  The tariffs, which would replace the existing retaliation list, would be designed to provide an incentive for the EU to stop unfairly blocking the import of U.S. beef from cattle treated with growth promotants.

 

“We wish to emphasize that our objective in supporting this initiative is not to erect new barriers to trade, but rather to achieve a resolution to this long-standing dispute which involves expanded access for U.S. beef exports to the EU and the elimination of the retaliatory measures by the United States,” the executives of the three organizations wrote to the USTR.

 

The EU ban on the importation of beef from cattle treated with growth promotants dates back to 1989.  Since then, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has twice determined, based on scientific research spanning several decades, that the EU’s ban is unjustified.

 

“We have actively supported efforts by USTR to seek a resolution to this issue in a way that enhances U.S. beef and beef product exports to the EU,” the CEOs wrote.  “However, after several years of discussion and little or no discernible progress, we agree with USTR’s initiative in seeking a different approach.”

 

USTR will consider comments from the industry and is expected to make a decision early next year on whether to change the products and countries that are targeted on the current retaliation list.

U.S. Associations Weigh in on WTO Beef Dispute with EU

 

USMEF has joined with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the American Meat Institute (AMI) to recommend that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) enact targeted tariffs against exports from the European Union (EU).  The tariffs, which would replace the existing retaliation list, would be designed to provide an incentive for the EU to stop unfairly blocking the import of U.S. beef from cattle treated with growth promotants.

 

“We wish to emphasize that our objective in supporting this initiative is not to erect new barriers to trade, but rather to achieve a resolution to this long-standing dispute which involves expanded access for U.S. beef exports to the EU and the elimination of the retaliatory measures by the United States,” the executives of the three organizations wrote to the USTR.

 

The EU ban on the importation of beef from cattle treated with growth promotants dates back to 1989.  Since then, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has twice determined, based on scientific research spanning several decades, that the EU’s ban is unjustified.

 

“We have actively supported efforts by USTR to seek a resolution to this issue in a way that enhances U.S. beef and beef product exports to the EU,” the CEOs wrote.  “However, after several years of discussion and little or no discernible progress, we agree with USTR’s initiative in seeking a different approach.”

 

USTR will consider comments from the industry and is expected to make a decision early next year on whether to change the products and countries that are targeted on the current retaliation list.