Brussels, 14/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission dismissed a Polish call at the Agriculture Council on Monday 14 December for export refunds for pigmeat, a sector suffering badly from the fall in prices.
European Commissioner Phil Hogan said that he opposed the Polish request, since prices are low and production continues to increase. He pointed out that a new and more generous private storage scheme for pigmeat will come into effect (+20% in aid) and that products may be exported if removed from storage (subject to payment of a penalty).
Following the Polish request on pigmeat (which featured among the “other items”), 14 ministers spoke. Slovenia, Portugal, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Belgium and France supported Poland. Ireland expressed its opposition to export refunds (while nonetheless arguing that there is a need to provide the sector with greater assistance in these difficult times). Germany came out against export refunds. Two countries - the Netherlands and Germany - highlighted that restructuring of the pigmeat sector was necessary. They argued that production, consumption and exports were mismatched. Belgium advocated the early slaughter of piglets. France stated that measures in the pigmeat sector had been taken too late and were insufficient.
Hogan said, too, that he was working to find new outlets for pork in 2016. Next year, he will visit Mexico, Colombia, China and Japan. He is also seeking the lifting of non-tariff barriers. Hogan and other commissioners are also trying to have the Russian embargo lifted so that fifth quarter sales (bacon, fat and offal) can resume. The Russians have yet to give a favourable response.
Milk market. Elsewhere, France and Spain drew attention to the situation in the milk and dairy products sector which continues to give cause for concern. France suggested that the private storage scheme for powdered milk provided little by way of incentive because of the deterioration in the quality of the powdered milk during the period of storage. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)