The European Union (EU) reached a compromise regarding the import of agricultural products from Ukraine — the European Commission prohibits the import of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed, sunflower and sunflower oil. Instead, the EU member states cancel the unilateral blockade.
RMF24 writes about it.
Such a ban will enter into force on June 6, when the current regime of duty-free trade with Ukraine will end. EU ambassadors voted for it.
In general, these five products account for 90% of all Ukrainian imports. At the same time, their transit remains permitted.
The European Commission will also conduct an investigation into milk, poultry meat and eggs from Ukraine, the import of which is being banned by Poland. If violations are found there, import duties will be imposed.
The European Commission has decided to financially support the farmers of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria — €100 million will be allocated for them, of which the Poles will receive almost €40 million.
- After the start of a full-scale war, the European Union canceled all tariffs and quotas for the transit of Ukrainian grain. Farmers from Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia were reported to have lost €417 million due to the influx of Ukrainian grain into their markets.
- Already on April 15, Poland banned the import of grain and other foodstuffs from Ukraine, and also decided to introduce a ban on their transit there.
- Subsequently, a ban on imports was announced in Hungary and Slovakia, but they promised to maintain transit. The European Commission called the decisions of the three countries unacceptable. After the negotiations, Poland promised to resume grain transit. However, the European Commission agreed to ban the import of wheat, corn, rape and sunflower. The European Commission also decided to allocate an additional €100 million to help farmers who suffered losses.