Document type: Written answer from the European Commission
Authors: Question: Virginie Joron. Answer: Ms Kyriakides
on behalf of the European Commission
Question: On 28 November 2019, Parliament approved the allocation of a tariff rate quota for imports of "high quality" beef from the United States.
The existing quota will remain unchanged, but of the 45,000 tonnes which make up the total tariff rate quota, 35,000 will be reserved for the United States.
Although the animals are not supposed to be treated with growth-promoting hormones, the quality of the meat exported to Europe will remain questionable. American cattle are generally reared on intensive farms, and some of the beef is obtained using halal slaughtering methods.
In the European Union, labelling halal meat as "organic" is strictly forbidden. In the United States, however, beef from ritually slaughtered cattle can be labelled in that way.
Parliament's resolution does not mention any requirement for imported beef to come from animals slaughtered in a manner respectful to their dignity.
1 Can consumers be sure of the origin and quality of the imported beef? Can they also be sure that proper checks have been carried out on it?
2 Under the current agreement, is it possible for European consumers to eat halal meat imported from the United States without realising it?
3 Will meat from ritually slaughtered animals be included in the import quota? If so, will this meat be clearly identified for the benefit of consumers, for example by means of labels?
Answer: Meat imported from third countries shall respect the EU requirements related to food safety, animal health and welfare at slaughter. In addition, the conditions of slaughter shall be at least equivalent to those set out in Chapters II and III of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at killing. Slaughter without stunning is permitted under the EU legislation in the case of animals subject to particular methods of slaughter prescribed by religious rites, provided that the slaughter take place in a slaughterhouse. Furthermore, Member States shall adopt measures to ensure that meat slaughtered for religious purposes does not end up in the general market.
There is no provision under the EU-US tariff rate quota arrangement mentioned by the Honourable Member, which imposes restrictions or conditions specifically referring to imports of halal meat. The EU requirements related to food safety, animal health and welfare at slaughter are also applicable to the meat referred to under this arrangement.
The new arrangements for the existing quota concern only the volumes allocated to the US and other suppliers. They do not represent any change in the strict specifications of the quota, which include labelling requirements, or the import conditions. The quota is not defined according to the method of slaughter prescribed by religious rites.
