(OTTAWA) With a trade war looming between Canada and the European Union over hormone-treated beef, The Council of Canadians is calling on the federal government to re-evaluate the use of growth hormones in Canadian beef.

As of today, the European Union (EU) will defy a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling by refusing to lift its ban on hormone-treated beef from Canada and the United States. The EU cites evidence of health concerns as the basis for refusing beef produced with the use of the hormones.

The European Union has asserted that the sex hormones in question may be harmful to human health. Earlier this month a European panel on veterinary drugs reported further evidence linking the hormones to cancer. One of the hormones, 17-Beta Estradiol, is described by the report as "a complete carcinogen." A pound of store-bought meat may contain Estradiol levels 3 to 12 times higher than the natural daily level found in pre-pubertal boys.

"Why are Canada, the United States and the WTO penalizing countries for trying to protect the health of their citizens?" asked Jo Dufay, Campaigns Co-ordinator for the Council. "Given the seriousness of the concerns that have been raised, wouldn't we be better off banning these hormones, instead of cranking up import taxes on Swiss chocolate and Scottish shortbread?"

Last week, Health Canada scientists testified before a Senate committee that one of the hormone compounds had been approved despite their explicit recommendations to the contrary. The scientists had uncovered studies demonstrating alarming changes to the reproductive organs of hormone-treated calves. Revalor-H, a hormone compound that includes Estradiol, was approved in 1997 over the warnings of Health Canada scientists.

"Our concerns fell on deaf ears," said Dr. Margaret Haydon to a Senate committee last week.

"This report raises even more serious questions," says Dufay. "Were health concerns about the drug ignored in order to shore up Canada's case against the EU? Is it possible that Canadians are exposed to dangerous substances because of a free trade case?"

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