The European Commission is to introduce measures to combat the current crisis in the EU pig meat sector.
The current situation in the sector is a result of several factors, including the strength of the Euro against the dollar, high feed prices due to last summer’s drought and low consumer demand for pork.
“These factors come on top of the usual cyclical fluctuations, and they all contribute to the extremely low prices in this sector,” the Commission said.
In order to tackle these problems, the European Commission proposed a temporary reintroduction of export refunds for pig carcasses and cuts.
“Exceptional circumstances call for exceptional measures. The temporary reintroduction of export refunds for pig meat is the last resort, after having exhausted all other means. This measure will help pig farmers in the EU who have been shaken by an extraordinary crisis,” said Franz Fischler, EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries.
