NCBA Statement Regarding Announcement of European Union to Maintain Hormone Ban

October 15, 2003

Chandler Keys, Vice President of Government Affairs, National Cattlemen's Beef Association:

“The European Union (EU) ban on U.S. hormone-treated beef continues to be a complete violation of international trade rules. It is an illegal trade barrier, not at all based on sound science.

“Top-ranking U.S. government officials today have reiterated that this latest news on the ban is just another attempt by the EU to stir up old, non-scientific studies which have no validity. The U.S. completely dismisses these claims by the EU.

“Repeated scientific studies, including ones done by the EU, show that the banned growth promotants pose no threat to human or animal health when used according to approved veterinary procedures. The official World Trade Organization (WTO) case reiterated this, when the WTO upheld sound science rather than socio-economic factors as the basis for international trade and ruled in favor of the United States, forcing the EU to drop the ban or prove it is scientifically valid. The EU has failed to look at the science in this matter and refuses to implement the recommendations and rulings of the World Trade Organization.

“U.S. cattlemen are proud of their outstanding product, raising and producing the safest beef in the world. U.S. cattle producers have continually called on the EU to drop its illegal ban on U.S. beef or face retaliation. NCBA will assist in the pursuit of any legal action against the EU that may benefit the U.S. beef industry in its long battle to gain relief from the EU hormone ban on beef, which the World Trade Organization has ruled to be illegal.  

“This is just another wrong move in dozens of years of delay tactics and two decades of lost markets for U.S. cattlemen. It’s time for the EU to play fair with us and with its own people. European consumers should have the opportunity to decide for themselves what products to buy, just as American consumers do every day.

“The EU ban is pure protectionism, and U.S. cattlemen will continue to fight the EU on this matter.”