Task Force to Work on Meat Issue

A high-level task force created by the United States and the European Community in an attempt to settle a “hormone meat” dispute will meet for the first time Monday, the government announced Friday.

Along with announcing the date for the meeting, the Bush Administration said its team will be led by Joshua Bolton, acting deputy trade ambassador. The European Community has named a five-member team.

The dispute has strained transatlantic relations and led to imposition of $100 million in high U.S. tariffs on seven European products to offset the loss of meat sales. The European Community bars the sale of meat produced with growth hormones.