Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding EU Beef Hormone Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 7, 2009 – “The American Farm Bureau Federation appreciates the efforts of the Office of the United States Trade Representative to expand beef marketing opportunities. However, we are disappointed that the provisional agreement announced Wednesday between the United States and the European Union in the beef hormone dispute did not fully open the EU market to U.S. beef.
“Unfortunately, the provisional agreement continues to allow the EU to maintain its restrictions on U.S. beef imports in a manner inconsistent with science-based decision making and world trade rules. While the agreement provides new duty-free access for hormone-free beef, it is long past time for the EU to abide by the rules and dispute settlement decisions of the World Trade Organization.
“We strongly support efforts to require our trading partners to comply with international standards and fully open their markets to U.S. beef. The United States must continue to work for the benefit of all U.S. beef producers and support trade through the acceptance and implementation of international trade rules.”
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| Contacts: | Tracy Taylor Grondine (202) 406-3642 tracyg@fb.org |
Mace Thornton (202) 406-3641 macet@fb.org |
