Progress in The Beef Hormones Dispute

A "provisional" agreement has been reached between the U.S. and EU (I'm not sure what Canada's views on all of this are).  Sounds like they still have some hard issues to deal with, though.

From the USTR press release:

The agreement in principle would provide additional duty-free access to the EU market for high-quality beef produced from cattle that have not been treated with growth-promoting hormones – 20,000 tons in the first three years and increasing to 45,000 tons beginning in the fourth year.  Under the agreement, the United States will maintain existing sanctions and will not impose new sanctions on EU products during the initial three-year period, and will eliminate all sanctions during the fourth year.  The two sides will refrain from further litigation at the World Trade Organization regarding the EU’s ban on beef treated with certain growth-promoting hormones for at least 18 months.  Before the end of the four-year period, the two sides will seek to conclude a longer-term agreement. 

From the EC DG Trade press release:

Under the terms of the agreement, the U.S. would agree not to impose new so-called 'Carousel' sanctions which were due to come into force this week and would affect a range of EU products including Italian mineral water, Roquefort cheese and a number of other food products. The U.S. would maintain the currently reduced level of existing sanctions against EU products (68% or USD 79 million lower), and would eliminate all sanctions beginning in the fourth year of the agreement. In return, the agreement would provide additional duty-free access to the EU market for the type of high quality beef traditionally exported by the U.S. and produced from cattle that have not been treated with growth-promoting hormones. The agreement would provide additional duty-free access for 20,000 tons of beef in the first three years, increasing to 45,000 tons beginning in the fourth year. Before the end of the four-year period, the two sides will seek to agree on the conditions for the settlement applicable beyond that period.

ADDED:  Senator Grassley's comment makes clear that a final resolution will be difficult:

“This provisional accommodation would increase exports of U.S. beef, and that’s good news for cattle and beef producers in Iowa and consumers in Europe. At the same time, it’s disappointing that U.S. beef from cattle treated with growth-promoting hormones remains locked out of the EU market. This beef is safe and consumed by millions of people in the United States and other countries every day. The European Union should reopen its market to all U.S. beef, which is entirely safe.”