Beef Hormones

A World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel said March 31 that the 2003 amended ban by the European Union on beef from certain hormone-treated cattle continues to be scientifically unjustified and is not consistent with WTO rules.

“The panel’s findings on the EU ban are an important victory for all U.S. farmers and ranchers,” Ambassador Schwab said. “EU consumers should have access to U.S. beef – it is of high quality, safe and competitive. Considering the EU’s position as the world’s second largest beef importer, resolution of this dispute will benefit not only U.S. cattle producers and beef exporters, but also EU importers and consumers.

“The findings confirm the principle that measures imposed for health reasons must be based on science,” the Ambassador said. “It is high time for the EU to come into compliance with its obligations on this matter.”


2008: Panel Finds EU Ban on Hormones Remains WTO-Inconsistent (Mar 31, 2008)

2006: Update on Hormone Issue from 2006 U.S. Report on National Trade Barriers (page 242)

2005: U.S. Hails WTO Decision to Open Meetings in Beef Dispute (Aug 5, 2005)

2004: Foreign Agricultural Service Background on Hormone Issue (Dec 2004)| Senator Grassley Concerned at EU Actions on Trade Dispute (Nov 19, 2004)

2003: Senator Grassley on EU Hormone-Treated Beef Announcement (Oct 15, 2003) | Foreign Trade Standards Often Ignore Science, U.S. Group Says (May 6, 2003)

2000: FSC, Other Trade Legislation Pending when Congress Returns (Nov 6, 2000) | Transcript USTR's Frazier at USEU on Bananas, Beef Disputes with EU (October 17, 2000) | Eizenstat on Bill to Remedy WTO Ruling Against FSC (Sep 27, 2000) | U.S. Agriculture Department Official on EU Beef Hormone Ban (Sep 26, 2000) | Chronology: U.S. Disputes with EU Over Bananas, Beef Hormones | "Carousel" Revised Retaliation List in EU Disputes Delayed (Jun 20, 2000) | USTR Request for comments on Beef and Bananas measures modifications (May 26, 2000) | USTR Announces Plans To Modify EU Beef, Bananas Measures (May 26, 2000)

1999: A Primer on Beef Hormones (Feb 26, 1999)