Econ Ministry to decide after mid-Sept on appeal against WTO pork decision
SHCHETINKA, KURSK REGION. Aug 22 (Interfax) - The Russian Economic Development Ministry will reach a decision in the second half of September regarding an appeal against a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling to restrict European pork exports to Russia.
"It's the holiday season right now, so I don't think we'll reach our decision [on an appeal] before the middle of September," Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev told reporters.
Ulyukayev said the ministry would hold further consultations with experts before then. "I think we'll be ready for this step [submitting an appeal], but we still need to consult with experts," he said.
A WTO panel on August 19 upheld a complaint by the European Union against Russia regarding restrictions on porK imports to Russia. The panel considers that the restrictions Russia imposed in September 2014 because of a limited number of cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) on imports of live pigs, fresh pork and other pig products from the EU are not consistent with Russia's commitments in the WTO framework.
The panel report can be appealed within 60 days.
