January 4, 2012

Europe and North America's long-running beef trade war could come to an end with European Parliament's agriculture committee's nod to a report from Scottish MEP George Lyon, which approves a move to "phase two" on a deal with the US and Canada.

The issue centres on Europe's refusal to accept meat from hormone-treated cattle.

This would increase their quota of non-hormone beef by 25,000 tonnes in return for North America removing trade sanctions on other EU products. MEPs will vote on the deal in March.

The MEPs are looking for a guarantee from the US that EU beef exports can recommence soon. US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack has told them he is consulting on a rule change which could see beef and veal exports resume this year.

An NFU Brussels office spokesman said, "Overall the Lyon report represents an inevitable step towards freer trade as global markets continue to open. This must be seen as an opportunity for our producers and not as a threat. It is right that hormone-treated beef will remain prohibited and we will continue to work with the European Commission to ensure all imports adhere to our very high standards of production.

"In return for our reduction of restrictions on US beef imports the US must remove its sanctions on European beef as soon as possible."

He said he was pleased that Lyon had received assurances from Vilsack.