The World Trade Organization appeal body has ruled in favour of Canada and the United States in a lengthy dispute with the European Union over its ban on beef from cattle that receive growth-promoting hormones.
The WTO concluded Oct. 16 that the EU can continue to ban imports of beef treated with growth hormones, but that Canada and the U.S. can maintain high retaliatory tariffs on certain EU exports in place since 1999.
“It is clear in our minds that Europe has no intention of opening its market to beef containing hormonal growth promotants,” said Ted Haney, president of the Canada Beef Export Federation.
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EU consumers and businesses do not want the product and they will not buy it. However Canada should not walk away, because it would be easy for other markets to block beef sales on the same grounds, Haney said.
The EU provides an 11,500 tonne quota shared by Canada and the U.S., which a single Tyson’s plant will easily fill this year. It handles natural beef produced without the offending hormones or antibiotics so it already met most of the EU protocols.
Canada realizes the U.S. will not negotiate more quota on behalf of both countries, said Haney.
“If we are going to arise as an exporter with dedicated quota for our industry, it will be done with our own efforts,” he said.
Canada is pursuing several issues with Europe.
The first is a dramatic increase in quota to 20,000 tonnes of high quality beef. Canada also wants an increase to 10,000 tonnes quota for lower quality beef and a system wide approval of Canada’s federally inspected plants.
Acceptance of Canadian plants has some sticking points for the Europeans. At issue is the practice of hot water or steam pasteurization of carcasses to remove pathogens like E. coli bacteria after the hide is removed. The Europeans are concerned the beef could be cooked as it moves through the chambers. Haney said there is some colour change in the brisket at the lower end of the carcass, but only about one millimetre of the outside of the carcass is affected.
Europeans also question the use of washes with lactic and acetic acid or hyperchlorinated water. These are not licensed practices in Europe.
Last year European officials were given tours of Canadian plants demonstrating the processes that are part of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point programs that all facilities must follow.
