WTO largely sides with EU over Russian ban on pork products

A World Trade Organization panel has largely sided with the European Union in its dispute with Russia over a Russian ban of imports of EU pigs, pork and pig products.

Russia imposed the bans starting in early 2014 following some cases of African swine fever in the EU. The bloc argued that the bans violated accepted practices.

The EU said Friday’s WTO announcement shows Russia’s measures “have little to do with any real sanitary or health risks“.

The bloc said Russia continues to restrict trade in most prod- ucts in the case under a “politically motivated ban” imposed on EU food products in August 2014.

Russia has 60 days to appeal the ruling, which could require Russia either to reconsider the bans to meet international rules or fully lift them.