NEWS RELEASES
CANADA SEEKS WTO PANEL ON BEEF GROWTH HORMONES
September 20, 1996 No. 170
CANADA SEEKS WTO PANEL
ON BEEF GROWTH HORMONES
Minister for International Trade Art Eggleton and Agriculture and Agri-Food
Minister Ralph Goodale announced today that Canada will ask the World Trade
Organization (WTO) for a dispute settlement panel on the European Union's ban on
imports of beef produced with growth-promoting hormones.
Canada's request for a dispute settlement panel will be made formally to the WTO's
Dispute Settlement Body on September 27, following unsuccessful consultations with
the European Commission, the EU's administrative body. The EU implemented the
import ban in 1989.
"The ban is unjustified," said Mr. Eggleton. "We believe it is not consistent
with the European Union's obligations under the WTO. We will take full advantage
of the dispute settlement process to fight this trade restriction."
"The European Union's ban effectively shuts Canada out of the European Union
market," said Mr. Goodale. "It is not based on scientific evidence. Growth
hormones pose no risk to human health when used properly. That has already been
made clear by the Codex Alimentarius, the major international body on food safety
standards."
The ban severely limits access to the EU market at a time when Canadian capacity
to export beef is expanding. Canada has had extensive discussions with the
European Commission since the ban.
The United States has also launched a separate panel case through the WTO.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Nicole Bourget Vern Greenshields
Director of Communications Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Minister Goodale's Office
International Trade (613) 759-1020
(613) 996-6271
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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