Brussels, 23/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - - On Friday evening the management committee agreed to a proposal to reintroduce export discounts for pig meat exports, which it got rid of in June 2000. The European Commission agreed to the demand made by a number of Member States after recognised the aid system to private storage set up on 22 December last had not resolved the current crisis..
During a special agriculture meeting last Monday, Austria, Germany, France, Netherlands, Portugal and Ireland expressed their wish for a speedy implementation of restitution measures. The Austrian delegation stressed that the private storage system had not produced the effects that had been planned concerning pig meat prices. France indicated that the weakness of the dollar compared to the Euro had hiked European export prices upwards. Denmark and Sweden though the situation normal and id not consider restitution measures necessary Latvia and Slovenia thought that export discounts would make their products less competitive on the Russian market, the main destination for European pig meat products..
Until now requests for aid to private storage focused on a volume of 61,000 tonnes, 31,000 tonnes (t) for Denmark, 6,500 t for Germany, 4,700 for Italy, 4,300 t for the Netherlands, 4,200 t for France and 4,100 t for Spain.
The products concerned are fresh or frozen half-carcasses, all the main cuts in their fresh state (hams, shoulders, forebody and breast) and various frozen cuts. The sum of restitution has been set at 40 EUR per 100kg for half-carcasses and cuts and at 25 EUR per 100kg for pork breast. It will be granted for all third countries, except the twelve acceding and candidate countries. Exports must have taken place before the end of April 2004.
The Commission specifies that after a long downward turn between October and December 2003, pork meat prices have stopped falling and have stabilised at the "albeit very low" level of 112 EUR per 100kg. In certain Member States, such as Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Austria, market prices are well below Community average.
"Exceptional measures for exceptional circumstances. The provisional reinstatement of restitutions on the export of pork meat is our last resort, all other options being exhausted. The aim of this measures is to help all EU pork breeders, who have been the victims of an extraordinary crisis", said Commissioner Franz Fischler.