UK trade body Pact calls on members ‘to suspend co-operation & trade’ with Russia

John McVay

UK producer trade body Pact has become the latest organisation to sever ties with Russian companies and urged its members to do likewise.

The UK organisation, which is led by CEO John McVay and has around 700 members, said it had taken down all Russian production and business information from its website.

It added that it was also calling on its membership to suspend all co-operation and trade with Russia.

In a statement, Pact said it “expresses our deepest sympathy for the people of Ukraine, and in particular our colleagues working in Ukraine’s film and television sector.

“Along with other industry organisations, Pact calls for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and for a resolution of conflict by diplomatic means respecting the rule of law and the rights of the Ukrainian people.”

The organisation added: “International sanctions are being implemented against the Russian Government. Whilst Pact sympathises with Russian creatives who do not have the same freedoms and safeguards that we enjoy in the United Kingdom, Pact has removed all Russian production and business information from its website and calls on members to suspend all co-operation and trade with Russia for the time being.

“Pact joins the call of millions in expressing our fervent hope for peace.”

The organisation’s call came just hours after MIPTV organisers RX France said Russian execs and companies would not be attending its Cannes event next month.

MIPTV’s decision followed news yesterday that export body Roskino had been barred from fellow French festival SeriesMania later this month.