European Commission veterinary officials were in Washington late this week

Date: 10/04/1997

still negotiating in the hope of concluding an agreement on the mutual recognition of hygiene standards before the crucial cut-off date of 15 April. US officials claim there are three main outstanding issues, concerning poultry, dairy and egg products. Failure to finalise a deal would endanger considerable EU meat exports to the US, particularly Danish pig products. Commission sources said they had very limited room for manoeuvre and there are suggestions that farm ministers, who meet in Luxembourg on 21 April, may have to get involved again.