BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY. “The EU often applies the precautionary principle very stringently in regards to food safety. The precautionary principle means that in a case of scientific uncertainty, the government may take appropriate measures proportionate to the potential risk … In 1996, the EU banned imported beef from the US and continued to do so after the 2003 Mad Cow scare.”
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beef_hormone_controversy