November 13, 2012

The outcome of the discussion between the European Commission and Russia on the ban of cattle imports from the EU is hard to predict.

This was according to Latvian Agricultural Minister Laimdota Straujuma in an interview with BNS.

She said that Latvia may not hold talks with Russia alone, therefore the European Commission is holding talks in the name of all EU member states. "Since Russia is a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) from August 2012, the talks between the EU and Russia are held at the WTO level. There had been two bilateral consultations during the WTO meetings, but there is no visible result yet," said Straujuma.

The minister voiced satisfaction that Latvian swine breeders have found other markets since Russia imposed a ban on import of live pigs. "I am happy that our swine breeders have found other markets in Western countries, their situation is improving," she said.

On March 20 Russia imposed a ban on EU imports of live cattle, sheep, goat and pigs. The move was explained with the spread of an infectious Smalenberg virus in Europe, insufficient veterinary control, violations in import/export documentation.

Regarding Latvia, no such violations have been detected in 2011 and 2012. Latvia's export of live pigs to Russia in 2011 amounted to EUR19.9 million (US$9.7 million) or 77% of total export of live pigs.