WTO establishes a panel on EU-Russia disputes on the importation of pigs and pork

The EU reiterated its concern expressed at the 10 July 2014 DSB meeting regarding Russia’s EU-wide restriction against imports of live pigs, pork and other pig products despite the EU’s measures to contain a further spread of the African swine fever.

The EU, for the second time, requested the DSB to establish a panel. Russia said that the recurring African swine fever outbreaks in the EU showed the EU’s ineffectiveness to prevent the spread of the disease. Russia believed that the issues related to this outbreak may only be effectively resolved through expert consultations and arrangements.

The DSB established a panel. Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Norway, Chinese Taipei and the United States reserved their third-party rights to participate in the panel’s proceedings.