[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 69 (Thursday, May 13, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H3166-H3167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            WHERE'S THE BEEF

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Bono). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, where's the beef? May 13, today, 
marks the day in which the European Union is set to respond to its loss 
of the beef hormone dispute.

[[Page H3167]]

  The 11-year-old ban on American beef has prohibited our ranchers from 
exporting to Europe an estimated $500 million worth of beef each year. 
U.S. cattle producers have won each and every decision of the World 
Trade Organization to open European markets. It is now time for the 
European Union to comply with international trading laws and to 
eliminate its ban on American beef.
  Rarely has European protectionism been so soundly defeated. In this 
case, the U.S. was not alone. Argentina, Canada, Australia, and New 
Zealand all joined in filing complaints to open markets. The countries 
have won, and it is time to begin shipments of beef to Europe.
  Yet again we hear that the EU will not open its markets, will not 
allow beef imports, and will continue to defy the World Trade 
Organization. Perhaps trade barriers may be lowered on other products, 
perhaps tariffs reduced on goods and services, but no relief will be 
afforded the U.S. rancher.
  Access to European beef markets is the objective. Compensation is not 
an acceptable alternative. The Clinton administration, its Departments 
of Agriculture and State and its trade ambassador must aggressively 
retaliate to force market access. Anything less than the shipment of 
fresh U.S. beef is unacceptable.
  Madam Speaker, where's the beef? It should be on the tables of 
European families and in the restaurants of France and Germany.

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