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Ranchers.net

USTR modifies taxes on imports from E.U. in continuing beef dispute
Thursday, January 15, 2009, 12:30 PM

by John Perkins

The U.S. Trade Representative's office says it is changing tariffs on imports from the European Union as part of their effort to get the E.U. to reopen their borders to U.S. beef. In a press release, USTR head Susan Schwab was stated that it was "time to modify the duties to try and encourage a resolution to this long standing dispute so as to finally provide a fair outcome to the U.S. beef industry, while addressing the economic impact of such long-standing duties on U.S. interests."

According to Dow Jones Newswires, European Union trade chief Catherine Ashton says that the E.U. will take action through the World Trade Organization.

The European ban on beef from cattle fed with certain growth hormones started in 1988, with the rules modified in 2003 after the WTO allowed the U.S. to impose tariffs. In 2007, the WTO rejected an E.U. claim that they were complying with the trade rules and on October 16, 2008 the WTO appellate body confirmed the U.S. ability to levy tariffs until the dispute ends.

The changes will go in to effect after publication by the Federal Register, around sixty days from the date of the press release (January 15, 2009).
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