WTO rules against Russian ban on EU pork

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has ruled against the Russian ban on EU pork exports.

The WTO stated the Russian ban on live pigs, fresh pork and other pig products from the whole of the EU was illegal under international trade rules and called for it to be lifted.

The decision was welcomed by European farmers unions, Copa and Cogeca.

Copa Cogeca secretary-general Pekka Pesonen said: “Since only a limited number of cases of African Swine Fever have emerged in areas close to the border with Belarus, the panel acknowledged that the ban is disproportionate, protectionist and not based on international standards and violates rules of the WTO Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. This is good news.

“But unfortunately the Russian authorities are likely to appeal against the ruling in the next 60 days which means that farmers may not see the benefits of it before 2018.”

Mr Pesonen warned that the EU pork market remained in a critical state.

“Copa and Cogeca have supported the European Commission efforts to find an agreement with the Russian authorities on the EU’s export certificates and veterinary restrictions in order to allow a resumption in trade of EU fats and lard to Russia.

“We urge the EU to keep up its efforts to reopen a market that used to take a quarter of our pork exports.”