It could easily by 2018 before EU pig producers see any marketplace benefit emerging from the recent World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling again Russia’s ban on EU exports, according to Copa and Cogeca.
While joining in the EU industry’s welcome of the WTO verdict, Copa and Cogeca secretary-general, Pekka Pesonen, has reminded member organisations that the Russian authorities are likely to appeal against the ruling within the next 60 days.
“That means farmers may not see the benefits of it before 2018,” he said, pointing out that, prior to the ban being imposed in 2014, Russia imported 24% of the EU’s pigmeat exports, with an average annual value of about €1.4 billion (£1.2bn).
Given that he believes the process of removing the ban in practical terms could still be more than a year away, Mr Pesonen urged the EU to keep working on the issue, despite the WTO judgement.
“The EU pork market remains in a fragile state,” he said. “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 therefore urge the EU to keep up its efforts to re-open a market that used to take a quarter of our pork exports.”