Switzerland, which is traditionally neutral, committed to the regulatory reforms in an effort to cooperate more with with the rest of Europe.
The reforms threaten over 300 tons of U.S. steaks and filets sold annually in Switzerland because of EU restrictions on hormone-treated beef imports, the Zurich-based weekly SonntagsZeitung reported.
"It's anticipated that the import of U.S. beef will no longer be allowed as of spring 2007," said Marcel Falk, spokesman for the Swiss federal veterinary office.
American beef currently accounts for only about 3 percent of all Swiss beef imports, the paper said.
Brussels has banned hormone-treated beef imports, arguing the products pose a risk to human health, but Canada and the United States both have successfully challenged the EU at the World Trade Organization.
The WTO ruled in 1998 that the EU's ban was illegal because of a lack of solid scientific evidence. It authorized sanctions by the United States and Canada, who together impose about $125 million worth of duties each year on European products such as French Roquefort cheese, truffles, mustard and other delicacies.
In response to the WTO's ruling, the EU passed legislation and permanently banned the use of hormone oestradiol 17b in meat products for consumption, based on independent research. The EU's new rule, which came into force in October 2004, also provisionally banned five other growth-promoting hormones, including testosterone, progesterone and zeranol.
The EU is currently disputing the legality of continued U.S. and Canadian sanctions, arguing the penalties are now groundless. It claims to have complied with previous rulings by backing up its ban on the imports with solid scientific evidence of health risks posed by the meat.
The United States and Canada reject the EU claims and say the sanctions remain valid. The WTO's arbitration panel is not expected to issue a decision until next year.
Switzerland currently allows the import of U.S. beef provided that all products from animals nurtured with hormones are declared as such and hormone residues are no longer traceable.
"That could also be a solution in the dispute between the EU and the U.S.," Hans Wyss, director of Switzerland's veterinary office, told SonntagsZeitung.
The reforms threaten over 300 tons of U.S. steaks and filets sold annually in Switzerland because of EU restrictions on hormone-treated beef imports, the Zurich-based weekly SonntagsZeitung reported.
"It's anticipated that the import of U.S. beef will no longer be allowed as of spring 2007," said Marcel Falk, spokesman for the Swiss federal veterinary office.
American beef currently accounts for only about 3 percent of all Swiss beef imports, the paper said.
Brussels has banned hormone-treated beef imports, arguing the products pose a risk to human health, but Canada and the United States both have successfully challenged the EU at the World Trade Organization.
The WTO ruled in 1998 that the EU's ban was illegal because of a lack of solid scientific evidence. It authorized sanctions by the United States and Canada, who together impose about $125 million worth of duties each year on European products such as French Roquefort cheese, truffles, mustard and other delicacies.
In response to the WTO's ruling, the EU passed legislation and permanently banned the use of hormone oestradiol 17b in meat products for consumption, based on independent research. The EU's new rule, which came into force in October 2004, also provisionally banned five other growth-promoting hormones, including testosterone, progesterone and zeranol.
The EU is currently disputing the legality of continued U.S. and Canadian sanctions, arguing the penalties are now groundless. It claims to have complied with previous rulings by backing up its ban on the imports with solid scientific evidence of health risks posed by the meat.
The United States and Canada reject the EU claims and say the sanctions remain valid. The WTO's arbitration panel is not expected to issue a decision until next year.
Switzerland currently allows the import of U.S. beef provided that all products from animals nurtured with hormones are declared as such and hormone residues are no longer traceable.
"That could also be a solution in the dispute between the EU and the U.S.," Hans Wyss, director of Switzerland's veterinary office, told SonntagsZeitung.