Vol. 515 No. 3
147 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if beef being imported into the European Union may have been treated with hormones, which use has been banned within the European Union; and, if so, the steps, if any, he will take regarding the situation. [6051/00]
Under the EU hormone ban, those third countries where use of the hormones concerned is allowed for growth promotion purposes may export to the Union only product which has been produced free of hormones. In April 1999, the European Commission announced that tests conducted on 258 samples of bovine beef and liver imported from the US in the period May-November 1998, and produced under the US Hormone Free Cattle Programme, revealed a 12% positive level for three of the hormones in question. Following this discovery, mandatory testing at EU border inspection posts of all consignments imported from the US was introduced. In addition, following intensive dialogue between the EU and the US and recent on the spot inspections by EU inspectors of US systems, the US has been given until 15 March 2000 to fully satisfy the EU that its systems provide the necessary guarantees. In the event that the 15 March, 2000 deadline is not met there is provision for an EU-wide ban on imports from the US of meat for human consumption to come into effect.
There have been no imports of beef from the US into this country since the beginning of 1998.
