May 30, 2001
		U.S. Eases Ban on EU Meat Imports On May 15, the U.S. announced that it was easing its 10-week ban on animal imports and raw meat products from the European Union. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) determined that there was a reduced risk of foot-and-mouth disease entering the country through Europe. Countries whose meat products have been allowed back within the U.S. borders are Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. British, French, Irish and Greek meat imports would continue to be banned. "The lifting of the restrictions will begin immediately," said USDA spokesman Kevin Herglotz. Bobby Acord, associate Administrator of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, emphasized that most imports of European beef remain in place, due to mad cow restrictions. "Essentially this (action today) only allows the importation of pork or pork products and semen," he said. Animal semen is imported for livestock breeding purposes. Chandler Keys, vice president of public policy for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, urged the EU to similarly use "scientifically based principles" and end its ban on U.S. beef containing growth hormones. "One good turn deserves another," Keys said.