The European Parliament voted yesterday to end the 14-year-old transatlantic beef wars.
Condemned by the World Trade Organisation for its refusal to import hormone-treated beef originating in the United States and Canada, and being subject to retaliatory trade measures costing millions of euro each year, the EU has always refused to budge on its principles.
An agreement has finally been reached allowing the lifting of sanctions in exchange for import quotas for US and Canadian hormone-free, high-quality beef.
The full Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, rubber-stamped the report, drafted by German MEP Quisthoudt-Rowohl on an autonomous tariff quota for imports of high-quality beef, which represents the final solution to the dispute, which dates back to a 1989 EU ban on the use of hormones, and a subsequent WTO complaint by the US in 1996.
Welcoming the move, Alyn Smith MEP commented: "Under the terms of the deal, the US will be allowed to export an amount of high-quality beef, which has not been treated with growth-hormones, to the EU, with the US lifting restrictions on EU imports."
George Lyon MEP added: "This deal constitutes a win-win for farmers and consumers in both the EU and US.
"This draws a line under the dispute and starts rebuilding the trust between the US and the EU on trade matters. This is already starting to pay dividends. On Friday, the United States announced their new draft BSE rules that will open up the possibility of a resumption of high-quality EU beef and veal exports to the US."
Payments from the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme started to arrive in bank accounts this morning.
The Scottish Government has now authorised payment of 9900 claims, worth £55.4 million – 85% of the total funding for the scheme.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1419 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £100 per head and 232.5p per kg to average 198.3p.
The firm also had 262 cast sheep forward when ewes peaked at £116 for Suffolks and £86.50 for Blackfaces.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 24 prime cattle forward in Dumfries yesterday when heifers sold to 223.5p per kg and averaged 208.3p, while bullocks peaked at 212.5p and levelled at 205.9p.
In the rough ring there were 52 OTM cattle with beef cows averaging 140.2p, while dairy cows levelled at 114.8p.
There were also 1081 prime hoggs that sold to £94.50 per head and 218p per kg to average 204.9p.
The 355 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £122.50 for Texels and average £90.62, while light ewes peaked at £87.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £61.40.
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