EU plans refunds for pig exporters

STEPS are being taken by European Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel to introduce export refunds for pig meat carcasses, cuts and bellies as a response to the difficult market situation.

Refunds would be payable for exports to all destinations. At the same time, the commission will suspend the private storage aid scheme set up last month.

Following the difficult situation in the EU pig meat sector, resulting particularly from high feed costs, a private storage scheme (APS) has been in place since October 29. Ms Fischer Boel said yesterday operators have shown interest in the APS scheme.