July 13, 2006

UK producers staunchly behind ban on hormone-treated beef

Beef producers in Wales declared their support for the continued ban of hormone treated US beef from the European market this week as a government expert's opinion on hormone treated beef was made known.

Earlier this week, a UK veterinary products report prepared for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said although there was no scientific reason for a ban on hormone-treated beef, there were gaps in the evidence and it advised a precautionary approach.

The view was supported by an article in British media written by government expert John Verall questioning the safety of US hormone-treated beef.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) also opposes the lifting of a ban on the use of growth hormones in the UK, saying there was no need, other than economic gain to use hormones.

Meanwhile, The Food Standards Agency said a full safety review would be required to lift the ban on the use of such hormones by British farmers and others in Europe.

The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) said the EU ban on such beef is the right approach.

Recent reports that the US administration, with backing from the UK government, is trying to have the embargo lifted is causing concerns, FUW president Gareth Vaughan said.

Beef producers worry that any move to allow hormone-treated beef from the US would open the floodgates to allow European producers to start using hormones on their beef as well.