Pigmeat

A new version of the text below is currently being prepared

Purpose

The EU pigmeat sector is subject to a market-organisation regime governed by EU law. The idea is to stabilise the markets and guarantee fair standards of living for farmers in the sector by setting up a price system and regulating trade with non-EU countries.

Scope

The regime covers live pigs (but not pure-bred breeding pigs) and derived products such as meat and processed products.

Price system

This consists of a number of elements that encourage operators in the sector to take measures, either individually or jointly, to ensure that the supply is in line with market demand.

• Basic price

  The basic price for a pig carcass is €1 509.39 per tonne. This refers to the "standard" quality (category E) for carcasses of between 60 and 120 kg, and category R for carcasses weighing over 120 kg.

• Intervention

  To prevent or cushion the effect of significant drops in prices, the Commission may issue grants to support the private storage of pigmeat products or the purchase of such products by public intervention agencies.

  When the Community price, weighted to reflect the relative size of the pig herd in each Member State, falls below 103% of the basic price, intervention may be authorised.

  Public intervention has not been used for at least twenty years.

Regulating trade with non-EU countries

• Issuing of import and export licences

  Imports and exports may be subject to import or export licences.

• Common customs tariff

  Pigmeat products are subject to the rates set in the common customs tariff.

• Imports

  Where there is a risk that imports could destabilise the Community market, additional import duties can be levied. These extra duties are not currently being levied, however.

• Import tariff quotas

  Tariff quotas are attributed on the basis of requests made by operators every three years. They are governed by a system of import licences.

• Lifting of import duties

  If at any stage it is judged that the medium-term outlook on the EU market is for prices to rise, import duties may be partially or completely suspended.

• Exports

  Export refunds may be granted to assist exporters. To qualify for such refunds, operators must hold an export licence.

• Processing

  The inward/outward processing scheme may be suspended.

• Barriers to trade

  Taxes that have an equivalent effect as customs duties and the imposition of any quantitative restrictions or similar measures are prohibited in trade with non-EU countries.

• Safeguard measures

  Safeguard measures may be taken if there is a risk that imports or exports could disturb the Community market.

Other provisions

• Animal diseases

  Where there is an outbreak of an animal disease and the sector is subjected to any sort of commercial restrictions, the Commission may take emergency measures to support the pigmeat market.

• Government subsidies

  Unless the legislation provides otherwise, the pigmeat sector is subject to the Treaty rules on government grants (state aid).

• Communication

  The Member States and the Commission are required to provide each other with the information each the needs to implement the legislation.

• Committee procedure

  In implementing the legislation, the Commission is assisted by a Management Committee for Pigmeat, consists of representatives from the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission.

Market prices:
Carcasses [pdf] [xls]

Statistical handbook for assessing pig classification methods [pdf]

Management Committee