The French government yesterday (15 January) hit out at US plans to triple the import tariffs on French Roquefort cheese.


Michel Barnier, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that he “regrets” the decision.


“This penalty, taken in retaliation for the continuation of the ban by Brussels of US beef containing hormones, is unjustified,” the French Agriculture Department said in a statement.


“We hope that an amicable dialogue with the new Obama administration could help solve the problem,” the statement added.


A spokesperson for the Department confirmed to just-food that an appeal with the World Trade Organisation has been lodged, seeking to legitimise the EU’s beef block.

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France is also examining measures to support producers who currently export Roquefort to the US while encouraging expansion into other export markets, the spokesperson added.

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