HC Deb 20 February 1989 vol 147 cc528-9W
Mr. Amos

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the import from the United States of America of beef from animals where growth was artificially induced by hormone implants.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The import of beef from the United States of America has now been prohibited because the US authorities are not complying with the European Community's requirement that beef imports should be certified as derived from animals not treated with hormone growth promoters. The Government have consistently opposed the ban on hormones because we believe that it has no scientific basis. We are continuing to work for a solution to the trade difficulties with the United States which it has caused.