EU Russia Dispute Over Pork Ban

The EU has taken Russia to the dispute settlement body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); for the 5^th time in two years.  The most recent dispute relates to the Russian ban on EU pork.  Since African Swine Fever was detected in a number of EU countries in January all imports have been banned from Russia.  Russia is an important market for the industry and takes around 25% of all EU pork exports each year.  The WTO panelusually takes a year to deliver its verdict; if a mutual agreement cannot be made within that time Russia could be ordered to remove the restrictions or pay compensation to the parties involved.