Live trade shock two days after WTO deal

THE immediate elimination of refunds for all EU live cattle exports was proposed by Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel on Tuesday.

The Commission said the proposal reflects the improved EU beef market situation. It comes two days after the EU vowed to eliminate exports subsidies in agriculture before the end of 2013, as part of a WTO agreement.

In 2005, 66,301 EU cattle have been exported to Lebanon for slaughter.