EU countries are about to agree to start negotiations with the United States to allow more American beef to enter Europe. This may be an important step in resolving trade tensions between Europe and the United States.
The EU executive committee in early September sought the approval of its 28 Member States to start negotiations with the United States.
Diplomats from the European Union say trade experts have backed it, and ambassadors will agree on Wednesday, and the approval process is expected to be completed next week.
EU diplomats said the European Commission would consider increasing the U.S. share of European hormonal-free beef imports, but would need to persuade other countries considered to be "important" suppliers to accept the reduction.
In 1981, the EU banned the use of growth hormone in meat, including imported meat, throughout the European Union. The EU and the United States finally reached an agreement in 2009 to give an import quota of steroid free beef. The quota is currently 45000 tons. However, according to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the quota must also be used by non US suppliers.
According to the American Meat Export Association, the share of U.S. beef in the quota had fallen from nearly 100% to less than 30% in the year to the end of June.
The share of Australia, Uruguay and Argentina increased steadily.

<>The EU is about to agree to start negotiations with the United States.

 

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