The export/import market – especially for beef, pork and dairy – is continuing to worsen, fuelled by the Russian ban on EU farm exports. Pork prices were lower that they were 11 years ago.
“It is unacceptable that farmers are paying the price of the political dispute with Russia. Re-opening this market is a priority” said the head of an EU agriculture body.
“Farmers and agricultural co-operatives are also more exposed to market forces. They need access to market data so they can plan ahead and hedge against risks”.
He said he was concerned that the EU Commission was moving ahead with opening up the EU market to imports from the trade bloc Mercosur. Beef imports which failed to meet the EU’s high environmental and quality standards would have a “catastrophic” effect, he said.
