Romania will be able to export live pigs in the European Union starting October this year.

The decision was voted on Wednesday by the European Commission’s Standing Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products, said agriculture minister Achim Irimescu, reports local Agerpres.

The agreement allows Romania to regain the right to export live pigs and pork, not only in the European Union, but also in other countries. Romanian producers will thus be able to access other markets outside of EU.

The Romanian farmers raising pigs have repeatedly called for the release of trade of live pigs in the European Union, considering that Romania has been free of classical swine fever for over 8 years. The local production has also been affected by the Russian embargo on pork imports from Europe.

In the last year, the Romanian farmers’ losses were estimated at over EUR 40 million. The deliveries of pork products from Romanian companies were forbidden in the European Union in 2003, because Romania was using pigs’ vaccination to get rid of classical swine fever.

editor@romania-insider.com