EU and US sign an agreement for imports of hormone-free beef

The European Union (EU) and representatives of the US Government have signed an agreement to review the functioning of an existing quota to import hormone-free beef into the EU.

As per the terms of the agreement, out of the 45,000 metric tonne quota, 35,000 metric tonnes will be allocated to the US. The remaining quota can be used by exporters from other countries.

Additionally, the agreement will enable the US to export nearly triple its duty-free exports of non-hormone beef to the EU over the next seven years.

The latest development is part of the strategy initiated by European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and US President Donald Trump in July last year, when they initially established a positive EU-US bilateral trade agenda.

In June, the EU reached an agreement with the US Government for the imports of hormone-free beef in Europe.

At that time, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said: “With the successful outcome of the negotiations, the Commission has delivered on a very important issue with a major trade partner with which we are engaged in broader trade talks.

“With this step, the EU reaffirms its commitment to bring about a new phase in the relationship with the US, in line with the agreement reached between Presidents Juncker and Trump in July 2018.

“I also want to reiterate that the agreement will not change the overall volume, quality or safety of the beef imported into the EU, which will remain in compliance with the high European standards.”

In 2009, the EU and US signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was later revised in 2014, to provide a solution for the dispute in the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the use of certain growth-promoting hormones in beef production.

The agreement is said to be completely in line with WTO rules. It was negotiated based on a mandate given by EU Member States and was approved by them in the council on 15 July.

Additionally, the current quota will cover only those products that comply with the EU’s food safety health standards.

To implement the new terms, the council will now recommend the agreement to the European Parliament for formal approval.