March 22, 2012

Russia extends pork import ban on virus fears

After the livestock import ban to pigs and pork has been extended partly because of the new Schmallenberg virus concerns, a diplomatic row broke out between Russia and the European Commission Tuesday (Mar 20).

Moscow had last month outlawed all exports of cattle and sheep as well as genetic material from countries stricken by the new midge-born virus. Its decision Tuesday (Mar 20) extends the embargo to all EU live cattle, sheep and goat imports as well as pigs and pork, despite there being no evidence of the virus affecting the pig population.

Three EC commissioners - farming's Dacian Ciolos, health and consumer policy's John Dalli and trade's Karel de Gucht - all condemned the decision, branding it disproportionate and unjustified. They demanded its immediate removal. Ciolos said Dalli and his officials had spent most of the day trying to contact Russian veterinary authorities.

An EC statement added: "The Russian authorities justify their ban, among other reasons, by the new Schmallenberg virus and bluetongue situation. This is not relevant as pigs are not affected by these diseases."

More than 340,000 tonnes of pork was exported to Russia from the EU last year. The trade in live animals is estimated at GBP156 million (US$248 million) a year. There has been no evidence of Schmallenberg affecting humans or pigs. The virus emerged in August and has now been detected on 2,000 farms across the EU, of which 190 are in England. There have been 176 cases in sheep and 14 in cattle.

A spokesman for NFU Scotland branded Russia's decision excessive, adding the ban on pigs and pork could have an impact on EU prices. "For the beef sector, this is a blow to progress as Scotland has been improving our links with Russia as a major non-EU market, highlighting Scotland's high traceability levels and ever-improving herd health status."

The spokesman reminded farmers to exercise extreme caution if importing livestock from Schmallenberg affected areas. A group of MEPs yesterday called on the 15 EU states that are unlikely to meet the deadline for a ban on sow stalls to do more to ensure the compliance with the embargo.

The politicians, who include Scotland's George Lyon, lodged a motion in the European Parliament urging the situation is given priority to avoid a repeat of the failure by 14 EU countries to adhere to the January 1 ban on battery cages for egg production.

Lyon and his colleagues have also asked European retailers to a meeting to discuss the action they intend taking to guarantee that they will only sell legally produced pork from the start of 2013.