Summary

Average price remains stable at €156 / 100kg. Transparency of price reporting will be discussed further at the September MANCOM. Protocols 1 and 2 for grading of pig carcasses were circulated and discussion and voting will be returned in September. Documents from 1st June meeting in Tokyo circulated, providing details of imports, production and consumption.

The Market

EU average price remains stable at €156 / 100kg, significantly higher than the same period in the last 4 years, due to good demand, exports and the world cup. Documents from Advisory Committee suggest a downward trend in prices in late 2006 (average €135) with an expected 1% increase in production. Documents circulated show licences issued for imports and exports for last year (which ended 30th June).

Export Refunds

No proposals for change.

Transparency of price reporting

The UK introduced papers requesting the Commission to consider requesting more transparency in the price reporting procedures. There is a lack of understanding between MS as to what the price represents and how it compares to the price received by the producer. The UK offered to assist the Commission in delivering this. The Commission agreed to circulate a questionnaire and encouraged discussion at the next meeting.

Carcass grading in France

Protocol 1 was circulated for a new ‘Image-Meater’, an automatic visual, nondissecting method. This will compare 150 carcasses against other methods to allow acute calibration.

The second paper concerns modernisation of methods and formulas currently used. Discussion and voting will be returned in September.

Situation in Japan

Documents from 1st June meeting in Tokyo circulated, providing details of imports, production and consumption. The Commission is keen to maintain open communications with Japan, as a third of the EU export value is proportioned to good trade with Japan.

AOB

Spain requested the Commission to consider the interpretation of refunds for cooked meat products covered by chapter 16,02. The Commission will visit this with export officials.

Further Information

To view details of the next meeting and copies of summary notes for previous meeting Click Here

The PigSite News Desk