The European Commission has requested a mandate from the European Council to discuss the existing beef quota for hormone-free beef imports from the US.

European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said that by requesting the mandate, the Commission was attempting to address concerns raised by the US and come to “a mutually satisfactory solution that is fully in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules”.

The said quota will continue to cover only products complying with Europe's high food safety

“As we send this proposal to the Council, I want to reassure European producers that the already existing beef quota under the memorandum of understanding will remain at exactly the same level,” Hogan said.

“And I want also to reassure our consumers that the said quota will continue to cover only products complying with Europe's high food safety and health standards, in this case only non-hormone treated beef."

Trade sanctions

In 2016, the Obama administration locked horns with the EU over its refusal to accept hormone-treated beef.

The US administration took the first steps in applying WTO trade sanctions on the EU over the issue.

In 2009, an agreement was reached between the US and EU that allowed for 45,000t of non-hormone beef to be imported into Europe. However, the US remained frustrated that other countries also had access to the quota.

The European Commission is keen to smooth relations with the US and has recently announced a 283% increase in soybeans from the US.

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