EU criticises massive embargoes
Trade Organisation after the US and several other countries banned
EU meat and livestock...
The European Union on Wednesday threatened to complain to the World Trade Organisation after the US and several other countries banned EU meat and livestock imports because of fears over the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, the Financial Times reports. David Byrne, EUhealth commissioner, told the European parliament the bans were an "excessive and unnecessary" response to a problem that was so far limited to the UK and one area of France. The continent's food industry was forecasting serious losses resulting from the blockade, headded. "I am deeply disappointed by the actions taken by third countries and if necessary we will make full use of our bilateral contacts and WTO trade arrangements to have these restrictions lifted,"Mr. Byrne added. EU officials said the US restrictions - which are financial impact on Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Britain - could cost the 15-member bloc up to E400m ($366m) annually in lost trade. Mr Byrne said he had already been in contact with Ann Veneman, US agriculture secretary, regarding the measures imposed by the US and was reassured that the ban would be reviewed urgently.
