Written answers

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Food Exports to Russia

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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842. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions at the recent EU Council of Ministers on the need to have additional food products exempted from the Russian ban on exports from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27467/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The issue of the Russian ban on agri-food exports from the European Union is one that is regularly discussed at Agriculture Council of Ministers, although it was not addressed at the recent Informal Council, which took place in Bratislava from 11-13 September.

There are essentially two bans in place. The Russian Federation imposed a temporary ban on importation of pigs, pork and reproductive material certified from the EU after 26 January 2014 in response to the discovery of two cases of African Swine Fever in wild boar in Lithuania. Efforts to make progress in lifting this ban are continuing.

A more general ban on the importation of agri-food products was imposed by the Russian Federation in August 2014 on countries (including the EU) which had adopted sanctions against Russia in the context of the situation in Ukraine. Although partially lifted (since 1 June 2016) in respect of imports of beef, poultry and vegetables intended for use in baby food manufacturing, the overall ban remains in place, and on 29 June 2016, the Russian authorities announced a further extension, to 31 December 2017.

In the context of the ongoing difficulties on EU agricultural markets, all Member States, including Ireland, have consistently urged the European Commission to intensify its contacts with the Russian authorities with a view to lifting these bans, particularly with a view to restoring the trade in live pigs, pork fat, lard and offal. Commissioner Hogan again indicated at the Agri-Fish Council on 18 July that the Commission has been working hard on this issue, but has not been able to make the hoped-for progress to date. While efforts to secure real engagement from the Russian authorities will continue, the broader task of securing alternative market outlets for EU food products will also be progressed.

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