The US and the European Union (EU) have reached a provisional deal to end a dispute over an EU ban on US hormone-treated beef. This should prevent the US from implementing $116.8m (£77.5m) in new retaliatory duties on European products such as French cheese. The EU’s stand has been that the beef treated with certain growth hormones poses a health risk to humans. The US had given the EU until 9 May to find a solution.

Though the ban was imposed on health grounds, it had the effect of excluding most beef imports from the US, where cattle are routinely given hormones as part of their feed. Hence, it was seen as a anti US beef import measure. Especially since the US government and US farmers always maintained there was no evidence hormones were harmful to human health. Though the US took its case to the World Trade organisation and won. It was one of the first cases heard by the WTO. However, inspite of this ‘court’ victory, Europe persisted with its ban.

Now, there seems to be some thawing of the relationships on this particular issue.

“Following a very good discussion today, we have reached an understanding that provides a pragmatic way forward in the long-running beef dispute,” said EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton.