EU files WTO complaint against US, Canada News
EU files WTO complaint against US, Canada

[JURIST] The European Union filed a complaint Monday with the World Trade Organization against the US and Canada for failing to lift sanctions against the EU over the EU's ban on importing hormone-treated beef. In 1998, the WTO ruled that the EU's beef ban was illegal, and the US and Canada responded with $125 million in sanctions against European imports. The EU then passed new legislation, which it claims is now in compliance with WTO rules. The US and Canada maintain that the ban is still illegal, and unsupported by scientific proof. EU officials in Geneva requested "formal consultations" with the two countries. If the countries cannot resolve the issue with the 60-day talks, the EU plans to start a dispute proceeding. The EU press release announcing the complaint is here. EUobserver has more. Background information on the EU beef ban can be found here.