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