A U.S. Perspective on the EC Hormones Directive

On December 31, 1985, the European Community [“EC”] adopted the “Council Directive Prohibiting the Use in Livestock Farming of Certain Substances Having a Hormonal Action” (“the Directive”). The directive, originally scheduled to take effect on January 1, 1988, prohibits the use of hormones, natural and synthetic, in livestock production and the sale of meat treated with hormones in the EC market. The United States believes that the directive violates the requirements of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (“Standards Code” or “Code”).