EU Bans US Beef w/Hormones
Reasons for the ban...
The main reason for the EU ban is a fear that the hormones are dangerous and may cause health problems to those who ingest them. The ban has, however, proved controversial because of differing opinions on whether the forbidden products are safe for human consumption and also the allowance by the EU of the hormones into other parts of the food chain. Also, a second reason for the ban, according to EU officials, is that consumers in the EU have expressed a strong preference to eat hormone free meat regardless of its safety. Finally, there is an argument for a ban on animal health/husbandry grounds (i.e. pushing animals to grow faster than they would naturally).
The arguments...
There are three central arguments in this case: 1) The uncertainty or certainty surrounding the science; 2) The legitimacy of EU public demand; 3) Whether the EU ban is discriminatory - i.e. merely an attempt to protect its own farming industry.
In the United States, the FDA has approved the use of most hormones for controlled use. According to the USA, the EU has also conducted a comprehensive study which shows that there is no risk attached to hormone treated animals. There does, however, seem to be a certain amount of doubt concerning both the effects on cattle of the hormones and the possible link to human breast and colon cancer. The EU has therefore been arguing that it should be allowed to invoke the Precautionary Principle in this case, meaning it could take action in the face of scientific uncertainty. The USA has been arguing that no such scientific uncertainty exists so the EU ban is illegal.
Also important is whether, regardless of the science, the EU should be allowed to implement a ban based on the will of its people. As one author puts it,
“...surely, if European consumers and governments are opposed to hormone-treated food and want to promote more organic methods of raising cattle, they should have the absolute right to do so”.1
However, in terms of the WTA, this is the most cut and dried issue as banning a product purely on the basis of public demand is prohibited no matter how strong the public opinion.