Points of Contact
European Commission: | U.S. Government: |
EU Delegation in Washington: | U.S. Mission to the EU: |
Reference
Framework Section II and Annex I, B.1.
Goal
To eliminate unnecessary regulatory divergences in the areas of agriculture, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and food safety.
Specific Objectives
Acceptance of alternative cleaning methods for poultry products.
Progress
The Commission in May 2008 adopted a proposal to permit the sale in the EU of poultry products cleansed with specified anti-microbial treatments. The Council rejected this proposal in December 2008. The United States requested consultations in the WTO over this decision in January 2009. A WTO panel was established on November 19, 2009. Panel composition is still underway.
Next Steps
Poultry: WTO panel established; panel composition underway.
General: The U.S.-EU Veterinary Equivalence Agreement Joint Management Committee met in November 2009 to discuss a range of regulatory issues affecting trade of livestock products. Technical consultations between SANCO and various U.S. regulatory agencies are ongoing.
