WTO RULES FOR UNITED STATES IN EU BEEF BAN

"The National Cattlemen's Beef Association fully supports the science-based decision by the World Trade Organization to uphold its ruling that the European Union's ban on beef produced with growth promotants is a non-tariff trade barrier and does not comply with global trading rules. We've felt all along that science would persevere in this process. We expect the EU, as a WTO member, to live up to its trade obligations and bring its regulations into compliance in order to grant access to U.S. beef.

"Since the EU implemented the ban on U.S. beef in 1989, U.S. cattle producers have lost hundreds of millions of dollars in potential exports. The WTO first ruled in May 1997 that the EU ban was not based on sound science. Rather than open its markets, the EU attempted to stretch the dispute resolution process as long as possible. Enough is enough. It's time to give European consumers the option to buy U.S. beef.

"The WTO ruling confirms that the U.S. beef industry has worked hard to set the international standard for safe and wholesome beef. We applaud the work by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. negotiators in maintaining sound science as the basis for international trade."

Initiated in 1898, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the marketing organization and trade association for America's one million cattle farmers and ranchers. With offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer- directed organization representing the largest segment of the nation's food and fiber industry.