Russia files appeal over WTO arbiters’ pork case decision

MOSCOW, Sep 23 (PRIME) -- Russia has filed an appeal against a decision of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) arbiter panel on a suit by the E.U. against Russia’s prohibition of pork imports from the union, the Economic Development Ministry said Friday.

“On September 23 (Friday), the Russian Federation filed an appeal against the WTO’s decision on a dispute “the Russian Federation – measures to restrict imports of live pigs, pork and other pork products from the European Union,” the ministry said.

“Despite a positive decision on Latvia, Russia in general does not agree with the decision of the arbiter panel. Around 2,500 African swine fever infection centers were registered in the Baltic states and Poland over the previous two years, and the epizootic situation continues to worsen, this indicates inefficiency of the measures taken by competent services of the European Union to liquidate the centers of infection and ensure proper protection,” the ministry said.

“The given facts contradict the arbiter panel’s decision for regionalization with the E.U., so this unfair decision is one of the grounds of the appeal filed.” Êîíåö ôîðìû

On January 30, 2014, the Russian veterinary authority prohibited imports of European pork products until the receipt of safety warrants from the European Commission after an outbreak of African swine fever in Lithuania. The E.U. called the prohibition a disproportional measure and sent a petition to convoke an expert group over the disagreement to the WTO.

In August, the WTO said it supports the E.U. case against Russia and several measures introduced by Russia contradict the country’s WTO obligations.

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