Press Release: Commission moves to counter pig meat crisis

The EU pig meat sector faces a major crisis. The Euro is currently very strong against the dollar, feed prices are very high due to the summer 2003 drought and consumer demand for pork is low. These factors come on top of the usual cyclical fluctuations, and they all contribute to the extremely low prices in this sector. In order to tackle these problems, the European Commission proposed on 23 January 2004 reintroducing for a limited period export refunds for pig carcasses and cuts. The refund will be set at € 40/100kg and will be valid for all third countries (except the 12 acceding and candidate countries). The exports have to be carried out before the end of April 2004. The Commission will now formally adopt the proposal so that it can enter into force on 27 January 2004.