On Tuesday 25 January, the European Commission reported that pork prices had stabilised in recent weeks, and even showed a slight upward trend, while MEPs called for measures and aid for the sector.
At a meeting of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee devoted to the situation in the pork market, the European Commission’s representative assured that the Commissioner for Agriculture, “Janusz Wojciechowski, does not underestimate the situation” in this sector.
“Piglet prices have risen quite sharply” in recent weeks, the Deputy Director General in DG Agriculture, Michael Scannell, also noted. This shows that the market situation could improve, he said. Reduced exports to China are a major reason for the problems, he summarised.
Mr Scannell also referred to the effects of African swine fever in Europe and rising input costs.
The European Commission recommended adapting pork production to the new data. However, producers are refusing to reduce production for the time being. The European Commission also hopes for new export markets.
MEPs called for EU measures and even specific funds to address the crisis.
“The Commission is aware of the problems, and we want to do everything we can to help the sector within the limits of the instruments available to us”, replied Mr Scannell. Two percent of producers account for 75% of pork production, he noted. There are no intervention provisions, coupled support, or direct CAP aids, he added. The sector’s turnover is between €38 and €40 billion, and storage aid would not solve the problem, concluded Mr Scannell. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)