March 21, 2008

EU bodies fight for US poultry import ban

European Commission industry officials are working to head off the expected lifting of a ban on US poultry imports into the EU.

Ton van Lierop, the Commission's industry spokesman, said officials are crafting a response to a forthcoming report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the risks of anti-microbial agents to the environment.

In 2005, EFSA said the agents did not affect human health but Commission health officials have continued supporting the embargo. The ban was imposed in 1997 because of concerns over the anti-microbial agents used by US producers.

EFSA's concerns about the environmental effects of anti-microbials in poultry would also heighten resistance from Commission environment officials.

The Transatlantic Economic Council, a body set up to facilitate trade and investment between the EU and US, wants the ban removed.