U.S. hits EU with revised sanctions in beef dispute

The European Union doesn't want to allow imports of U.S. beef from cattle that have been treated with growth hormones.  Consequently, the U.S government (i.e. the outgoing Bush administration) is threatening to retaliate by imposing duties (i.e. taxes) on imports of  European food products.

The U.S. asserts that the EU's ban is "not supported by science".  However, the EU maintains that "its decision to ban U.S. hormone-treated beef was based on scientific advice and not protectionism".

I know that I don't want to eat growth hormone-treated beef and I think it is reasonable that Europeans don't want to either.  It is unfortunate that the U.S. beef industry is able to wield such influence that they can get our government to retaliate.