S.Con.Res. 74 (is) Expressing the sense of the Congress relating to the European Union's ban of United States beef and the World Trade Organization's ruling concerning that ban. ...

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105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 73


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 22, 1998

              Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress that the European Union is unfairly 
 restricting the importation of United States agriculture products and 
the elimination of such restrictions should be a top priority in trade 
                 negotiations with the European Union.

Whereas on a level playing field, United States producers are the most 
        competitive suppliers of agricultural products in the world;
Whereas increased United States agricultural exports are critical to the future 
        of the farm, rural, and overall economy of the United States;
Whereas the opportunities for increased agricultural exports are undermined by 
        the unfair subsidies provided by trading partners of the United States, 
        and by various tariff and nontariff trade barriers imposed on highly-
        competitive United States agricultural products;
Whereas United States agricultural exports reached a record-level 
        $60,000,000,000 in 1996 compared to a total United States merchandise 
        trade deficit of $170,000,000,000;
Whereas the United States is currently engaged in a number of outstanding trade 
        disputes with the European Union regarding agriculture matters and the 
        disputes involve the most intractable issues between the United States 
        and the European Union;
Whereas the outstanding trade disputes include the failure to finalize a 
        veterinary equivalency program, which jeopardizes an estimated 
        $3,000,000,000 in trade in livestock products between the United States 
        and the European Union;
Whereas the World Trade Organization has ruled that the European Union must 
        allow the importation of beef with growth hormones produced in the 
        United States;
Whereas the European Union has yet to fulfill its commitment under the Agreement 
        on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures reached as part of 
        the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade;
Whereas the European Union has promulgated regulations regarding the use of 
        ``specified risk materials'' for livestock products which have a 
        disputed scientific basis and which serve to impede the importation of 
        United States livestock products despite the fact that no cases of 
        bovine spongisorm encephalopathy (mad cow disease) have been documented 
        in the United States;
Whereas the European Union has hindered trade in products grown with the benefit 
        of biogenetics based on claims that also have a disputed scientific 
        basis;
Whereas these barriers to biogenetic trade could have a profound negative impact 
        on agricultural trade in the long run; and
Whereas there are also continuing disputes regarding European Union subsidies 
        for dairy, wheat gluten, and canned fruits: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the European Union unfairly restricts the importation 
        of United States agricultural products;
            (2) the restrictions imposed on United States agricultural 
        exports to the European Union are the most vexing problems 
        facing United States exporters in Europe;
            (3) the elimination of restrictions imposed on United 
        States agricultural exports should be a top priority of any 
        current or future trade negotiations between the United States 
        and the European Union; and
            (4) the United States Trade Representative should not 
        engage in any trade negotiations with the European Union that 
        undermines the ability of the United States to achieve the 
        elimination of unfair restrictions imposed upon United States 
        agricultural exports to the European Union.

            Passed the Senate May 21, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                    GARY SISCO,

                                                             Secretary.

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