Romanian Veterinary and Food-Safety Authority approved in September 2005 a regulation with a major impact on pork meat exports to Romania. Veterinary Order no. 53/2005 transposing the EU 79/542/CEE and 2005/234/CEE, regulates animal health and veterinary certification requirements for non-EU members. The regulation sets standards which limit U.S. exports to Romania as only EU approved red meat processing plants, would be eligible to export.

The above veterinary order was to go into effect on July 1, 2006. However, according to the recent amendment published on June 23, 2006, the implementation date was delayed by three months and current veterinary certification for U.S. pork meat exports will remain in place until October 1, 2006. Consequently, all pork meat exports certified on or before September 30, 2006 will be accepted in Romania accompanied by the current health certificates. After October 1, 2006 pork meat shipments must be certified with revised certification that indicates compliance with EU requirements.

U.S. swine meat exports to Romania have had a significant growth this year. In terms of quantity, the exports grew by almost 150% during the first 4 months of the year, compared to the same time -period in 2005, from 3,096 MT to 7,546 MT. The value of U.S. swine meat exports to Romania reached $14 million in 2006 (4 months), with 125% more than last year. United States doubled its share of total imports in 2006 from 7% to 14%.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service - 30th June 2006