Vol. 501 No. 1
69 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the case initiated by the United States under the World Trade Organisation dispute settlement panel and the decision of the appellant body that the EU ban on hormones must be brought into conformity with World Trade Organisation rules on or before 13 May 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/99]
The EU ban on hormones for growth promotion purposes in animals has been in place for over a decade. Ireland has consistently enforced the ban with vigour, as evidenced in particular by a series of prosecutions in the courts, in order to ensure that consumers both on home and export markets can have confidence in the safety of Irish food products.
The EU ban, in so far only as it relates to imports into the Union of hormone treated third country beef was challenged by the US and certain other third countries under WTO procedures. The WTO panel findings, as amended by the WTO appellate body, while accepting the right, in principle, of the EU to take such public health protection measures, nonetheless found that the EU ban was not fully in conformity with current WTO rules. The European Commission, which has committed the EU to fully respecting its obligations under the WTO, sought a reasonable time period within which to do this. In particular, it has sought time for the completion of a number of scientific studies concerning hormone specific and residue specific risk assessment for all six hormones in question.
I understand that while interim results of some of the studies may be available in advance of the May 13 next deadline set by the WTO, final results will not be to hand by that time. The European Commission is currently considering a number of possible options which take account of the EU interest in this matter and which would be designed to avert the trade dispute threatened by the US side. I support this approach.
