A European Union majority would like to retain the possibility of intervention buyings in the pig industry.
EU Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel (Denmark) had proposed to abolish these buying, supported by e.g. the Netherlands.
However, most member states believe the Commission should concentrate on making the market easier – but not changing it.
They feel intervention buyings could be useful should large animal disease outbreaks occur – although the instrument has never been used up until now.
Abolishing the buyings is not seen to be very appropriate when looking at the current negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Related websites:
• European Union
• World Trade Organisation
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