The European Union dropped its ban on some US meat imports on Monday in a gesture aimed at starting talks on a free-trade pact that would encompass about half the world's economic output. Brussels and Washington want to deepen a relationship that accounts for a third of global trade, and ending the EU import ban on live pigs and beef washed in lactic acid is meant to show the Europeans are serious about a deal.
The ban will be lifted from February 25, dropping European objections that were based on differing hygiene and husbandry methods in meat production. US farmers have long regarded these concerns as unscientific. The EU may also consider easing restrictions on imports of US animal fat, known as tallow, used in biofuels. "The United States had certain preconditions for talks to start. We want to show them that Europe can deliver," said a senior EU diplomat involved in preparing for negotiations.
EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht will travel to Washington on Tuesday to put the finishing touches to a joint EU-US report that is expected to recommend going ahead with free trade negotiations. De Gucht told Reuters last month these will be "difficult negotiations". However, Europe and the United States both seek an economic boost after meagre growth since the global crisis of 2008/2009. Import tariffs between the European Union and the United States are already low.
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