Vol. 507 No. 4
35 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will provide an update on the position of the EU ban on hormone treated beef; if the EU continues to be under pressure from the US; the position, if any, he has taken on hormone treated beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16927/99]
There has been a long-running dispute between the EU and the US arising from the Union's ban on imports of hormone treated beef, which was imposed in 1988. Following protracted proceedings, which included an appeal under the WTO mechanisms, the EU was allowed up to 13 May last to bring the import ban fully into line with WTO rules on risk assessment.
Arising from its efforts to comply fully with the WTO requirements, the EU released, at the beginning of May, the results available thus far of seventeen scientific studies into the six hormones in question. The US announced a list of retaliatory measures and therefore the dispute has become more difficult and complex. I fully support the European Commission's position that there can be no question of lifting the ban at this time.
