As the eleventh hour closes in on the European Union to accept North American beef, attempts have stepped up to keep it off the continent.
The Europeans have long claimed the growth promoting hormones used in North America are unsafe for human health and a recent report links one as a cancer causing agent.
The report claims estrodiol beta 17 causes cancer tumors to grow and as for the other five banned hormones, the Europeans claim no conclusive evidence rules them as safe.
However, the Canadian industry argues this study is old and discredited.
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“There’s no new information. It is information that was presented to WTO scientific panel and was rejected,” said Ben Thorlakson, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president.
Hormones allowed
The hormones used in Canada include estrodiol beta 17, progesterone, testosterone, zeranol, trenbolone acetate and melengestrol acetate.
Estrodiol beta 17, progesterone and testosterone are used together in various combinations and appear in commercial products like Synovex C, Synovex S and Synovex H, as well as other generic products.
Zeranol is the main component of Ralgro. The implant site is between the skin and cartilage on the back side of the ear. A single implant works for 120 days to stimulate the animal’s pituitary gland to produce extra natural growth hormone, somatotropin.
Trenbolone acetate, referred to as TBA, is an ingredient used in combination with other products like Synovex Plus, Revelor S and Revelor H.
Melengestrol acetate or MGA is a heat suppressant drug and sold as a feed additive for heifers. MGA is used less as more heifers receive implants instead.
The Europeans banned hormone treated beef in 1989.
Canada and the United States took the issue to the WTO in 1996 and won. The EU has until May 13 to allow the beef into the country or face trade sanctions.
