Minister seeks urgent solution to Russian pigmeat ban

An urgent solution is being sought by the European Commission to difficulties arising from a blanket ban imposed by the Russian Federation on pigmeat imports from the EU.

The Russian market for Irish pork is extremely important, with exports in 2013 of about 20,000 tonnes (66.5% higher than 2012) and a value of €55m.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney told TD Michael Healy Rae in a written reply to a Dáil question the Russian Federation is one of Ireland’s largest non-EU pigmeat markets.