Today, an expert group of the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that the Russian ban on imports of live pigs, fresh pork and other pig products from the EU is illegal in terms of international trade rules.
The decision concerns the ban imposed by Russia in early 2014 of . -this small number of cases of African swine fever (ASF) in the EU territory near the border with Belarus
The Expert group recognized that Russia’s refusal to accept the EU imports of certain products and to amend the EU import certificates – Russian equivalent to the pan-European a ban on imports. This measure is not based on relevant international standards and violates the rules of the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. Some Russian ban on imports from Poland, Lithuania and Estonia have received similar criticism of the expert group.
The decision sends a clear message to Russia and to all WTO members on their obligations to comply with international standards, in particular, in this case the principle of regionalization ( which would allow the import products from those parts of the country, are recognized zones, free from pests or diseases, even if the state of the rest of the country is not favorable), and the requirement to carry out a risk assessment based on scientific data. The panel emphasized that WTO members may exercise their right to determine the appropriate level of sanitary protection and restrict imports accordingly, based on health concerns, only in cases when it is done in accordance with WTO rules.
The European Union It has one of the most efficient in the world of animal health and food safety, including a high level of identification and stricter rules to prevent risks. Today’s decision confirms that the measures imposed by Russia does not correspond to the real health risks or health risks. EU production is safe and there is no need for any country to continue to apply unjustified restrictions on imports.
For most of the products in question trade is still limited due to the politically motivated ban that Russia imposed on agricultural products from the EU in August 2014. Nevertheless, the findings of the expert group have system-wide implications, as Russia reminded of its international obligations and that these obligations should not be arbitrarily disregarded.
The European Union will continue to use WTO procedures to ensure that, that international trade rules are really respected. WTO dispute settlement mechanism remains the most effective means of overcoming trade barriers and substantial increase, thus, legal certainty and predictability for trade.
Focusing on Russian protectionism affects a wide range of economic sectors. In the recent past, the European Union initiated a procedure at the WTO in connection with several trade barriers imposed by Russia, including the recycling of cars, inflated fees for paper and other products, anti-dumping duties on vehicles.
to appeal the report of the expert group can be within 60 days. If the appeal is not filed within the specified period, the report will be adopted, and Russia will have to implement the recommendations.
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