EU agrees to import more non-hormone US beef

THE EU has agreed to increase imports of non-hormone beef from the US, avoiding fresh sanctions from the Americans, but without any reciprocal moves from the Americans.

The agreement, the first sign of movement in a 20-year row between Europe and the US, has been criticised by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

It said that the US markets should be opened to Irish and EU beef, that all US beef must not contain growth hormones or have had microbial treatment and meet full EU traceability standards.