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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 View in LinkedIn

"THE BEEF HORMONE DISPUTE is one of the most intractable agricultural controversies since the establishment of the World Trade Organization. The European Union banned the import of meat that contained artificial beef hormones ... Canada and the United States opposed this ban, taking the EU to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body. In 1997, the WTO ruled against the EU. The EU appealed the ruling." http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beef_hormone_controversy View in LinkedIn

EUROPEAN HORMONE BAN. "For oestradiol 17ß it concluded that there is a substantial body of evidence suggesting that oestradiol 17ß has to be considered as a complete carcinogen ... and that the data available would not allow a quantitative estimate of the risk. Having examined additional scientific data the SCVPH confirmed its opinion in 2000 and 2002." http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/chemicalsafety/contaminants/hormones/index_en.htm View in LinkedIn

EUROPE UNEQUIVOCAL. "The ?.. SCVPH thoroughly re-evaluated the risks to human health from hormone residues in bovine meat and meat products treated with six hormones for growth promotion. In 1999 this independent scientific advisory body concluded that no acceptable daily intake (ADI) could be established for any of these hormones." http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/chemicalsafety/contaminants/hormones/index_en.htm View in LinkedIn

BLACK MARKET GROWTH DRUGS. "The EU’s position on hormonal growth promotes has strengthened since the 1980s, partly because of examples of illegal hormone use – particularly muscle-building beta-agonists – in some countries. Monitoring residues of growth promotors is now more stringent." Like sports medicine. http://lnkd.in/da3_GE8 View in LinkedIn

NOT A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. "The UK imports about 30% of its meat ... a large amount is from countries including Brazil, Argentina and Australia, where lower production costs make meat cheaper. In some non-EU countries, hormonal growth promoters are used in beef ... But in Europe, these promoters were banned in the 1980s over food safety concerns." http://lnkd.in/da3_GE8 View in LinkedIn

EU BANS HORMONES IN MEAT IN 1980s. "Imported meat from animals with detectable levels of hormonal residues was also banned. But the EU was not just concerned about health – the ban was also based on consumer perception that using hormones to manipulate growth is unnatural, unnecessary and a risk to animal welfare." http://lnkd.in/da3_GE8 View in LinkedIn

FDA HORMONE APPROVALS FOR MEAT. "There is a question regarding the validity of the tests relied upon by the FDA, given the timing of the approval. For example, implants containing estradiol benzoate and progesterone were first approved by the FDA in 1956. 25 MGA, which is approved as a feed additive, was cleared by the FDA in 1977." Sensitivity and sophistication of testing has improved since then. http://lnkd.in/dv-EN2y View in LinkedIn

CARCINOGENICITY TESTING can be complex and it often takes long periods, decades, for carcinogenic effects to be shown in man; short-term animal studies, and in vitro tests with bacteria, are virtually meaningless. This lack of meaningful studies, and the will to test, and a budget for testing, have contributed to the differences in opinion. https://www.bc.edu/dam/files/schools/law/lawreviews/journals/bcealr/27_3/02_TXT.htm View in LinkedIn

EU AND US REGULATORS DIFFER. "On the other hand, the European Union (EU) issued an extensive report concluding that at least one of the six growth hormones contained in U.S. beef exports causes cancer." http://lnkd.in/dv-EN2y View in LinkedIn