The EU will reiterate the ban on the import of US beef with hormone

Lead: Washington, Dec 13 (Reuters) - EU agriculture ministers will reiterate a ban on the import of hormone producing beef from the United States, an EU official said Wednesday The move is likely to increase trade tensions between the EU and the US The main purpose of the EU's move is to take the initiative in the protracted beef trade war between Europe and the United States, so as to urge the United States to cancel its retaliatory tariffs on EU products of up to US $116.8 million The EU deputy said Monday that the Council of EU agriculture ministers will meet this week to finally approve the extension of the ban Earlier, several lower level talks have cleared the way According to the European Commission, new scientific evidence confirms that one hormone, estradiol 17-b, can cause cancer, and five other hormones can potentially harm the human body On this basis, the European Commission will argue that its ban on the import of beef containing artificial growth hormone is not in violation of World Trade Organization Regulations If the European Commission can persuade the WTO to accept this view, the United States will be forced to cancel its retaliatory measures The United States has long maintained that the use of growth hormone in the growth of beef cattle does not pose a threat to human health In July 1999, the WTO allowed the United States to impose punitive tariffs on the EU's $116.8 million worth of products every year as a means of retaliation for the loss of the opportunity of beef trade.