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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 3

Written Answers. - Dairy Products.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

40 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, he has taken to safeguard the export of Irish dairy products to the United States in view of the reaction of the US in relation to these products following the failure of the EU to comply with the World Trade Organisation ruling to allow hormone treated beef into the EU; and Ireland's position at EU level in relation to the importation of hormone treated beef from the US. [12892/99]

The preliminary list of products considered by the US for retaliatory action does not include the type of dairy products exported to the US from Ireland. I understand a final and shorter list of restricted products will be available in June.

I will continue to keep the situation under close review over the coming months in conjunction with my EU colleagues.

Following a finding by the WTO appellate body in January 1998, the EU was given until 13 May of this year to bring its ban on the import of hormone treated beef fully into line with WTO rules on risk assessment. In order to comply with this ruling, the EU has commissioned 17 scientific studies on the six hormones in question. At the beginning of May of this year, the Commission released the results available thus far from these studies.

I have already expressed my support for the European Commission's position that there can be no question of lifting the ban at this time. However, I believe it is important that there is continuous dialogue between the EU and the US on this issue.
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