EU, US Reach Agreement on Imports of Hormone-free Beef
EU - On Friday, the European Commission shared with Member States the successful outcome of negotiations to review the functioning of an existing quota to import hormone-free beef into the EU.
17 June 2019
1 minute read
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 European Union reaffirms its commitment to bring about a new phase in the relationship with the United States, 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."
Based on a Council's mandate, the Commission reached an agreement in principle with the United States and other substantial supplying countries that 35,000 tonnes of this quota will be allocated to the US, phased over a seven-year period, with the remaining amount left available for all other exporters.
Following the conclusion of this mutually satisfactory outcome in line with WTO rules, the Commission will submit legal proposals for the Council to authorise its signature and to conclude the agreement with the United States in the coming months, after seeking the consent of the European Parliament.
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