Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 6/17/19


The European Union has agreed to give the United States a larger share of the body’s quota for hormone-free beef, the European Commission announced Friday in a news release.

The deal gives the U.S. a guaranteed share of the EU’s 45,000-metric-ton quota, which was first established in 2009 to settle a dispute between the two sides over an EU ban on the use of certain growth hormones in beef production.

U.S. producers initially dominated the quota but eventually lost share to other countries, which benefited from World Trade Organization rules requiring the quota also be made available to them. With a rise in participation from Australia, Uruguay and Argentina, the U.S. share of the quota has fallen to some 30%.

The new agreement would guarantee the U.S. an initial share of 18,500 metric tons that would rise to 35,000 metric tons over 7 years.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation told Meatingplace that key steps remain before the U.S.-specific quota can be implemented. The next step is for the European Commission to formally begin the EU approval process, which includes European Council adoption and European Parliament consent.

“But the fact that this issue is progressing is very positive news for the U.S. beef industry, and USMEF thanks USTR for its steadfast work on improving the functioning of the quota,” USMEF spokesman Joe Schuele said.

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