May 06,2009

Grassley Welcomes U.S.-EU Move to Increase U.S. Beef Exports to EU

M E M O R A N D U M

To: Reporters and Editors
Fr: Jill Gerber for Sen. Grassley, 202/224-6522
Re: U.S.-EU beef agreement
Da: Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Sen. Chuck Grassley made the following comment following the announcement that United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and European Union Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton have reached an accommodation in principle on additional duty-free access for U.S. high quality beef in the EU market. The beef at issue would be derived from cattle not treated with growth-promoting hormones. Grassley is ranking member of the Committee on Finance, with jurisdiction over international trade.

“This provisional accommodation would increase exports of U.S. beef, and that’s good news for cattle and beef producers in Iowa and consumers in Europe. At the same time, it’s disappointing that U.S. beef from cattle treated with growth-promoting hormones remains locked out of the EU market. This beef is safe and consumed by millions of people in the United States and other countries every day. The European Union should reopen its market to all U.S. beef, which is entirely safe.”