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Israel fears expansion of planned EU boycott

August 18, 2014 at 12:37 pm

Israeli sources are worried about the possibility of the EU extending the boycott of Israeli poultry products, slated to start in September, to include other goods, PLS48 website reported on Monday.

The report cites Israeli Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir telling Maariv newspaper that: “Israel is exerting much effort with the EU to undermine new regulations taking place.”

The newspaper revealed that pessimism is now prevailing amongst Israeli officials over fears that they will not be able to succeed in preventing or, at least, postponing the new regulations because of the current Israeli assault on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

“The most worrying issue,” the newspaper reported, “is that the boycott will expand to include all products and services produced in the Israeli settlements inside the occupied Palestinians territories and Golan Heights.”

Israeli officials have asked Israeli producers to distinguish the poultry and dairy products that are produced in the settlements, in accordance with the new EU regulations.

Also, Israel’s agriculture ministry is no longer exporting poultry products to the EU market. The products will instead be sold to international markets and local Israeli markets.

The expected losses due to the new regulations are estimated to be about NIS70 million. But the worrying issue is that the boycott could expand to include other products.

On 17 February, the EU commissioner decided to put new regulations in place on Israeli veterinary services and poultry products originating in the settlements.

Israeli sources expect that Israeli fish will be next after the ban on poultry products.