AMI Wants No Deal Made with Europe

June 12, 2001

The American Meat Institute has urged the Bush Administration not to strike a deal with the European Union requiring U.S. beef exporters to comply with the EU's ban on imports of beef from hormone-treated animals. AMI says the administration signaled last week it would re-open talks with the EU to resolve the EU's longstanding ban on U.S. beef.

One option being considered is that the EU would compensate the U.S. beef industry by creating an import quota for beef from untreated cattle. U.S. beef exporters have warned they would oppose this outcome.

"U.S. capitulation on the principle central to this case could have major negative implications for U.S. beef shipments to other markets and would set a dangerous trade policy precedent," said AMI Senior Vice President for Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel Mark Dopp. According to Dopp, only one U.S. plant ships a very limited amount of beef to the EU market each year – the equivalent of one afternoon's production at a typical large packing plant.

To view a copy of the letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellich, visit: http://www.meatami.com/Template.cfm?Section=EUHormones&NavMenuID=147&template=TaggedContentFile.cfm&NewsID=413.