Allister presses for Brazilian beef ban in Europe
22 June 2007
During Question Time to the Council of Ministers in the European Parliament, Jim Allister MEP, challenged the German President of the Council as to why the EU had not taken steps to ban imports of Brazilian beef, following renewed and disturbing findings of gross deficiency in their animal health regime.
Mr Allister put it this way to the Minister:-
"The USA has a total ban on all fresh beef imports from Brazil, because it says traceability is largely non-existent, illegal growth hormones are in widespread use and generally controls are alarmingly weak. Is the health of EU citizens less important? If not, why have we too not already banned Brazilian beef?"
The Minister's answer was a disappointing cop out. He took refuge in the fact that it is for the EU Commission to make such a proposal, not the Council of Ministers.
Mr Allister has already raised the issue with the Commission and is awaiting a response.
