The EU market situation is stable. Production will rise until the last quarter of 2006. Concerns about Avian Influenza and new outbreak of Classical Swine Fever in Germany. Commission will consider application for exceptional supportive measures in case of CSF, on basis 50 – 50 contributions. Commission stated that regarding amending Regulation 2967/85, compromising position would be to adopt a factor 0.89 assessing lean meat content. All Member States voted in favour of Czech and UK proposals for grading pig carcasses.

Market situation for pigmeat

The EU market situation is stable. Commission presented forecast of the average Community price for pig carcasses and production for 2006. Prices will go up in second and third quarter, but will go down in last quarter of this year. Production will slightly go up, with biggest increase in Poland, 22.9% up compared with last year. Commission stated that market’s future now depend of situation regarding Avian Influenza and Classical Swine Fever. Germany reported two new outbreaks of Classical Swine Fever in North- Rhine Westphalia. One of the outbreaks is outside of established exclusion zone (transport and movement ban). Area affected is an intensive production area, close to boarder with Netherlands. Exclusion zones that have been in place for more than 4 weeks have been widened. Strain of CSF virus, difficult to prove, with clinical signs showing late.

Market situation in Germany good, despite to Classical Swine Fever

Commission stated that will consider exceptional supportive measure in such cases, but Member State must contribute with 50% of total aid. Exchange of views and request for opinion on a draft Commission

Regulation fixing the export refunds in the pigmeat sector

No proposals for change were made.

Exchange of views on the meeting of the experts group on pig carcase grading held on 28th March 2006. And Exchange of views on a draft Regulation amending Commission

Regulation (EEC) No 2967/85 laying down detailed rules for the application of the Community scale for grading pig carcases. Commission stated that there was considerable discussion during the last experts meeting. With compromising position to adopt a factor of 0.89 assessing the lean meat content, all points of last meeting should be considered by experts. Discussion will be returned to in May with possible voting.

Exchange of views and request for opinion on a draft Commission Decision amending Decision 2005/1/EC authorising methods for grading pig carcases in the Czech Republic.

All Member States voted in favour.

Exchange of views and request for opinion on a draft Commission Decision amending Decision 2004/370/EC authorising methods for grading pig carcases in the United Kingdom.

All Member States voted in favour.

Exchange of views on a draft Commission Regulation on the exchange between the Member States and the Commission of certain information concerning pigmeat (Codified version).

Discussion will be returned to in May.

Exchange of views on a draft Commission Regulation establishing the list of representative markets for pigmeat in the Community (Codified version).

Discussion will be returned to in May.

Exchange of views on a draft Commission Regulation on the marketing stage to which the average price for pig carcases refers (Codified version).

Discussion will be returned to in May. Miscellaneous. No other business to discuss.