July 1, 2014

Pork import dispute between Russia and EU escalates

The pork trade dispute between the EU and Russia escalated as the EU resorted to requesting the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) intervention.

The EU has formally requested WTO to rule over the dispute concerning the Russian ban on imports of pigs, fresh pork and certain pig products from the region, citing the restrictions are incompatible with the WTO policies, notably with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS Agreement) and the GATT 1994.

Russia enacted the ban following several cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Lithuania and Poland, close to the border with Belarus.

"Russia's import restrictions on European pork are clearly disproportionate, discriminatory and not based on science," said EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. "As this goes against international trade rules, Europe has no choice but to request the establishment of a panel at the WTO."

EU Commissioner for health Tonio Borg commented, "The EU immediately put in place measures to contain the spread of the disease. Thus, EU products from the non-affected areas are perfectly safe. Despite our efforts over the last five months and the numerous bilateral contacts ewe had with Russia, there is no sign that Russia will allow trade to resume from the unaffected areas in the EU."