EU boycott call over US
tariffs
Consumers are being asked not to buy US products like this Chrysler
Viper
French farmers are calling for consumers in the
European Union to boycott American products after the
US said it would impose high tariffs on European goods
in the row over hormone-treated beef.
Washington is hitting back at the EU for refusing to
remove its 10-year-old ban on the beef.
The EU says its scientists are worried that
hormone-treated meat carries health risks, possibly
causing cancer and triggering reproductive disorders in
men.
US scientists and the World Trade Organisation dispute
this.
Chocolate, onions on tariff menu
Now the US plans to impose 100% tariffs on European
goods ranging from chocolate and pork to onions and
truffles. The sanctions will come into effect on 29 July.
But two leading farm unions in France are calling on
consumers to strike back. France will be hit by tariffs on
many animal products, but also luxury goods like foie
gras and Roquefort blue cheese.
"To support the European Commission in its decision to
retain its ban, we ask European consumers to boycott
all products from the United States," said Pascal Coste,
president of the young farmers' union, CNJA.
'Public opinion will rebel'
He cited items such as Chrysler cars, electronic goods
and Florida orange juice as examples which should be
struck off shopping lists.
"Public opinion will rebel against this. People are fed up
that the Americans are telling us what we should eat,"
said Mr Coste.
The farm union FNSEA joined in the boycott call,
describing Washington's attitude as scandalous and
accusing the WTO of complicity.
The union's director-general, Yves Salmon, said the US
was "taking hostage European farmers who have nothing
to do with this conflict".
Italian pork producers are also weighing up the
implications of the tariffs.
"It would certainly be a
negative, unfair move which
would damage us
considerably," said Edoardo
Marcucci of the National
Association of Pig Farmers.
He said the industry was
already in crisis, with prices
well below production costs.
In the worst case, he said,
Italy might stop exports of
products like Parma ham to
the US.
Pork will be one the products worst hit by the tariffs,
making up about one quarter of the $116m total.
US officials say their list is designed to inflict the most
economic damage on France, Germany, Italy and
Denmark, as they believe that those nations hold the
key to overturning the beef ban.
news.bbc.co.uk
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