DAIRY FARMING
Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the Russian ban on EU agricultural products on the British dairy industry; and if she will make a statement.
George Eustace, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for farming, food and marine environment: The UK has been monitoring the Russian ban on EU agricultural products closely since it came into effect on 7 August. We are continuing to work closely with trade associations and industry to minimise the potential impact of the ban on businesses.
Of the £1.1bn of EU dairy product lines exported to Russia in 2013, the most affected countries are The Netherlands (£218m), Finland (£215m) Lithuania (£135m) and Germany (£135m). Cheese is the main product that has been affected (£826m), in particular produce from The Netherlands (£197m), Germany (£120m) and Lithuania (£115m). In comparison, the UK exported £5.8m of cheese to Russia in 2013.
The Commission has announced market support measures for the dairy industry in response to the ban.