October 5, 2010

EU to emerge as red meat importer

The EU is expected to consolidate its position as a beef and sheepmeat net importer, according to the European Commission's Agriculture and Rural Department (DG Agri).

This is because local producers are increasingly exposed to world market forces, and EU production continues to decline, the department said.

While beef production is expected to be particularly hit by lower milk production quotas by 2014-15, decoupling, improved red meat import access, lower export subsidies and disease outbreaks will continue to deter EU beef and sheepmeat production.