Commissioner Byrne urges US to act on scientific advice
Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne urged the USA to take scientific advice into account when reacting to Europe's foot and mouth outbreak when he met representatives from the American government in Washington on 27 March. Commissioner Byrne discussed the outbreak with US Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and Under Secretary of State Alan Larson. He was keen to draw the distinction between the US reaction to foot and mouth disease (FMD) and the EU's ban on hormone treated beef. 'It is justified on the basis of scientific advice which confirms dangers for human health,' he said, referring to the EU scientific report of 5 May 2000. FMD is not a danger to humans, and is present in only four EU Member States. The US currently has a ban on imports of animals and non-treated animal products from the 15 EU Member States. Whilst no deadline was agreed for a review of US action, Secretary Veneman agreed to keep the situation constantly under review. Referring to the EU's ban on GMOs, Mr Byrne said 'I explained to the Secretary (Veneman) that my ambition is to put in place the necessary legislation to ensure that the de facto moratorium on new genetically modified organisms (GMOs) authorisations in the EU can be lifted, and that all stakeholders are confident that we have a regulatory package which fully protects human health and the environment and adequately informs consumers in relation to GM derived foods.'