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A Commission move to introduce Private Storage Aid for pigmeat in order to ease pressure on the EU pigmeat market has been voted on by Member States in the [Management] Committee yesterday and will be formally opened in the coming days (next week).
Under the combined effect of Russian import barriers and the increase in EU production, prices have considerably decreased on all European markets.
Even if there is a hint of slow recovery, the EU pig price is still 20% below the 5-year-average – and have been more than 15% below the 5-year average for 6 months.
Gross margins are also more than 15% below the historical average and with many producers having been in a situation of negative revenue for a number of months, farmers are facing serious problems of liquidity.
Under the scheme, the Commission finances a fixed amount to contribute to the basic costs of storage for certain pigmeat cuts (for 90-150 days) – for example for hams the rate varies between 254 €/tonne for 90 days and 278 €/t for 150 days.
The Commission is preparing an Implementing Regulation laying down all technical details.
Tuesday February 24, 2015/ DG Agriculture/ EC/ European Union.
http://ec.europa.eu
