The European Union will ban the import of milk and

animal products from across the Green Line

Europe is no longer content with marking products from the settlements: Despite
Israeli efforts, the decision will take effect in September. The Ministry of
Agriculture to factory owners: prepare to separate products from the Green Line

08/15/14 | 07:29 | Ben Caspit










A dramatic deterioration of Israel's trade relations with the EU. The head of department for
supervision of animal products at the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture instructed this week,
through a letter sent to all managers of dairies and other factories which are approved for
the milk and dairy export, to prepare immediately for the separation of milk, dairy products
and animal products into two groups: those whose source farm is situated beyond the Green
Line and those that work within the Green Line.
Despite months of effort on the part of the Ministries of Agriculture and the Economy, it
turns out that the EU Commission had decided to completely ban the import of milk and
dairy products from Israel, which may be in any way related to factories, dairies or farms
located beyond the Green Line.
The European decision was given to Israel in February. Since then efforts have been made to
dissuade the Europeans, but they were unsuccessful. Late last month, in a letter coming
from the EU Commission it was determined that the decision was finally approved and will
come into effect in September.
This is a real drama. Up until now, the Europeans were content with marking products
coming from the settlements, if at all. Now they forbid the import of any product originating
in the territories beyond the Green Line.
The immediate damage is estimated at 70-80 million Shekels per year. But much more
worrying is the precedent that it sets. At this point it is about milk, dairy and animal
products. Yet the Europeans may carry on to other export fields.
Now, the major dairies, such as Strauss and Tnuva, will have to submit a concise list of all the
farms and suppliers from which it sources the milk and to separate them. The Golan Heights
Dairies have lost their right to export altogether, as well as a fish plant located in Jerusalem
beyond the Green Line.
There are between 70 to 80 dairies in Judea, Samaria and the Golan Heights, that from now
on will be denied export. The dairy industry will be hurt, but will not collapse. The question is
what will happen when the Europeans take the next step.


Source: http://www.maariv.co.il/news/new.aspx?pn6Vq=E&0r9VQ=GDGLL
Translated by Ronnie Barkan