At the meeting of the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) in Budapest, on Monday 9 September, the Member States of the European Union acknowledged that sanitary constraints and animal diseases are weighing heavily on the European pigmeat and poultry sectors.
The European Commission presented the SCA with an overview of the situation in these two markets.
As far as pigmeat is concerned, the EU is the world’s second largest producer (86% of pigmeat production in the EU takes place in eight Member States). EU production has fallen in recent years (-6% in 2023 compared with 2022). Prices reached unprecedented levels last year, well above the average for the last five years. The EU is a net exporter of pigmeat, while imports are very limited. China absorbs 25% of EU exports, followed by the UK. Pigmeat production is set to fall by 0.9% a year between now and 2035. Consumption should also fall. According to the Commission, pigmeat prices are set to remain high, while exports are expected to fall.
2024 marks a recovery in poultry meat production in the EU - with six countries accounting for 73% of EU production. After peaking in 2023, prices have fallen slightly and are now stabilising. The EU is the third largest exporter after Brazil and the United States. The EU also imports large quantities of poultry. Poultry production and consumption are set to increase by 1.4% a year. Environmental constraints could limit production in certain regions, and bird flu is likely to continue to have an impact, according to the Commission.
Among the challenges mentioned for both sectors are environmental concerns linked to greenhouse gas emissions and animal welfare considerations.
The delegations recalled the negative impact of animal diseases, such as African swine fever and avian influenza, as well as climate change. Some delegations said that they wanted a labelling system for animal welfare requirements, as well as compulsory country of origin labelling. Several countries have called for additional support to help farmers meet animal welfare and environmental requirements.
The need to invest in research (new technologies and vaccines) was also mentioned, as were voluntary measures to reduce production.
Some delegations regretted that certain third countries do not recognise ‘regionalisation’, precisely to avoid a ban on all EU imports, including from disease-free regions.
Finally, several delegations stressed the importance of preventive measures and risk management.
A note from the Hungarian Presidency of the Council reminds that the pork and poultry sectors are not eligible for coupled support under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), but can benefit from investment aid or other measures linked, for example, to animal welfare.
European agriculture ministers will discuss the post-2027 CAP (see EUROPE 13477/3) on Tuesday 10 September. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)