EU Signals it’s ready for Trade Talks with U.S

Feb 05, 2013

EU Removes Restrictions on Some U.S. Meat, Hoping to Start Trade Talks

The European Union (EU) lifted its ban on some U.S meat imports in a gesture to start trade negotiation. The trade talks would account for a third of global trade, if the deal reaches maturity.

The EU dropped the import ban on live pigs and beef washed in lactic acid, as a signal that it’s ready to begin talks on trade. The lifted ban will come into effect Feb. 2013. There is also word that EU may also consider easing restrictions on imports of U.S animal fat, which is used in biofuels.

"The United States had certain preconditions for talks to start. We want to show them that Europe can deliver," said a senior EU diplomat involved in preparing for negotiations.

Despite this effort, the U.S hasn’t publically said if this gesture is enough to pave the way for U.S-EU trade talks to begin.

Currently, import tariffs between the two countries are low. However, the real benefit of a trade deal would be the access to each other’s markets, which would ultimately remove the high costs to smaller companies wishing to export.

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.