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Brussels, 28/05/1997
EURO COOP statement in support of the European Union Beef Hormone Ban
EURO COOP in noting of the latest conclusions of the interim World Trade Organization (WTO) panel report on European Union beef hormone ban wishes to reiterate its strong opposition to any imports of hormone-treated beef on the European territory.
EURO COOP considers that the problem of hormones cannot be defined simply as a trade barrier. Human health, cultural, environmental, and animal welfare aspects should also be considered when dealing with foodstuffs.
The 1988 European ban on the use of hormones as growth promoters was, and rightly so, motivated by consumer interests. In 1997 consumers expect an even higher standard of wholesome, high quality meat, which is produced as naturally as possible, i.e not using substances for the sole purpose of growth promotion.
EURO COOP therefore reaffirms the right for the consumers to be offered a product in which they have confidence and not to be imposed a product they do not want or which is of no real benefit to them.
EURO COOP argues that the consequences of the BSE crisis and the recent European trend in favour of consumer and food safety should thus entirely prevail when disputing WTO report.
Furthermore EURO COOP is very concerned about the long term potential risks for human health, the link between hormone-treated meat and various illnesses, notably cancer, has not yet been disproved. EURO COOP asks the EU to stick to the precautionary principle when submitting its comments to the WTO.
Finally EURO COOP questions a system where international measures can be imposed through the WTO on European consumers despite their opposition to such measures and their support for a long-standing EU legislation.
Note : if the European Union were found to be in breach of WTO rules and therefore not allowed to maintain its ban on imports of hormone-treated beef, many consumer co-operatives across the EU would continue to ban the use of growth hormones.
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