Trade Disputes between EU and Egypt persist over E. Coli Outbreak

CAIRO: The European Union has elected to cancel a mission of scientists to Egypt tasked with inspecting seed and vegetable production. This comes in response to last week’s announcement by the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce calling for a ban on EU agricultural imports.

Since July 5, the EU has elected to withdraw from the market, and temporarily ban the import of certain types of seeds from Egypt. This verdict followed an account linking Egyptian seeds to the E. coli outbreaks in northern Germany and Bordeaux, France. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reached this arrangement after deeming a batch fenugreek seeds imported from Egypt the most likely common link to the outbreak, although it cannot be excluded that other lots may be implicated.

The ban is to remain in effect until October 31, 2011 unless results from analytical tests and investigations carried out by the European member states renders Egyptian seeds secure for import.

When asked specifically about the impending ban Anca Radu, Trade Officer with the Delegation of the European Union to Egypt said, “The emergency measures taken by the EU concern only certain seeds and beans, in raw state, which are used for sprouting. Apart from these particular products, any vegetables and fruits can be exported to the EU.”

Egypt total exports to the EU grossed € 7.1 billion or $10.2 billion in 2010, 8.5 percent of which consisted of agricultural products.

“The estimated impact on EU-Egypt trade for the concerned period is about €5.6 million or $8.1 million, representing 0.88% of EU's annual imports of agricultural products from Egypt,” confirmed Radu when asked of the impact on trade as a result to the halting of Egyptian seed and vegetable exports.