Exports of pork meat produced in Romania to EU states could begin again from September at the earliest, said Mihai Visan, executive director of the Romanian Meat Association.

 

Romanian pork exports have been banned since 2003, following several outbreaks of classical swine fever around the country, which continued to occur until 2008.

 

On January 1, 2010, the European Commission (EC) allowed Romania to resume exports of pork products made from meat coming from non-contaminated areas - either in or outside Romania.

 

Since then there have been no new outbreaks and the last vaccination campaign against swine flu took place last December.

 

The full resumption of exports can take place at least six months after the last vaccination round and should be preceded by checkups from the Commission.

 

The EC experts are due to check up on Romania's swine fever status in July or August, according to Visan. If their results are positive for the industry, exports could take place in September at the earliest.

 

Romania currently imports 70% of its pork products, so it is unlikely this will bring a boom to the industry in the short-term. However it will allow domestic producers the option of exporting, which could allow them to develop more expansive growth strategies.