asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the Irish companies and their products which will be affected by the proposed ban on imports of European meat to America; and if he or the Council of Ministers have any proposal to rectify the situation.
Written Answers. - Proposed Ban on European Meat Imports to US.
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The European Commission is engaging in negotiations with the United States Authorities on behalf of the Community in this matter and the Council of Ministers is consulted as appropriate and appraised of developments. While it is to be hoped that the dispute giving rise to the proposals referred to by the Deputy can be equitably resolved, the Commission position is that imports from third countries should not be accorded more favourable treatment than that applying to Community producers.
The US have drawn up a provisional list of products to which penal import duties would apply if a settlement is not reached. This list includes boneless beef and cooked pigmeat products.