Beef Hormone Controversy - Effects Upon Policy in The E.U.

Effects Upon Policy in The E.U.

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 (EC Regulation 178/2002). In 1996, the EU banned imported beef from the U.S. and continued to do so after the 2003 Mad Cow scare. A proper risk assessment found there to be insufficient risk to invoke the precautionary principle. Labeling of meat was another option, however warnings were also insufficient because of the criteria specified in the SPS (Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary agreement). This agreement allows members to use scientifically based measures to protect public health. Most specifically the Equivalence provision in Article 4 which states the following: “an importing country must accept an SPS measure which differs from its own as equivalent if the exporting country’s measure provides the same level of health or environmental protection." Therefore, although the E.U. is a strong proponent of labels and banning meat that contains growth hormones, requiring the U.S. to do the same would have violated this agreement.