The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is taking action against the European Union’s unfair trade practices that discriminate against U.S. beef imports. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Director of International Trade Kent Baucus says the WTO determined in 1998 that the EU’s ban on U.S. beef was not based on science and violated its international trade obligations. Since then the EU has failed to address the issue and also broke a 2009 trade agreement which allowed modest market access. He says that prompted the action.

If the trade action goes forward the U.S. would reinstate industry-supported tariffs on a list of EU products imported into the United States.

Baucus says the action holds the EU accountable and is an important step in getting them to a negotiate a deal that insures America’s cattle producers have access to Europe’s market.

The USTR has scheduled a public hearing and is seeking public comments in connection with the EU’s ban on most U.S. beef products.