WTO says European ban on import of hormone-treated American beef not based on sufficient scientific evidence

The World Trade Organisation has issued its verdict in a long-running dispute between the United States and the European Union over a ban on the import of hormone-treated American beef.

An appeal panel of the WTO ruled that the EU ban was not based on sufficient scientific evidence and was therefore in breach of world trading rules.

The EU has been ordered to comply with the ruling within fifteen months.

The United States described the verdict as a clear and unequivocal win for Washington and called for the ban to be lifted within a reasonable time.But, officials in Brussels say that since it mentions the lack of scientific research, the EU will maintain the ban while a scientific study is carried out to assess the risks.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service