Brussels concluded at the end of April with five member states (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania) an agreement that allows them to block the marketing of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflowers on their soil in order to protect their farmers, provided they do not allow transit to other countries impede. other countries.
After the European Union lifted tariffs in May 2022, these countries experienced an influx of low-cost grain from Ukraine, but it was blocked on their soil due to logistical problems. Several had unilaterally banned imports to stem the saturation of their inventories and the collapse of local prices. These restrictions were then officially approved by Brussels and then extended until September 15th – much to Kiev’s dismay.
“Thanks to these temporary measures, market distortions have disappeared in these five countries” and improved logistical conditions have made it possible to increase grain deliveries to other countries, said a Commission press release. “Therefore, the existing measures expire today,” she announced.
Aiming to provide assurances to Eastern countries, the European executive points out that in return Kiev undertakes to take measures to control the influx of grain. “Ukraine has agreed to introduce legal measures within 30 days – for example a system of export licenses – to avoid an increase in grain volumes,” the press release said. “Until then, from September 16, Ukraine will take effective measures to control exports” of wheat, corn, sunflowers and rapeseed in order to avoid market distortions in the states of the “EU neighbors”. Kiev must submit an “action plan” to Brussels by Monday evening, ready to “respond to any unforeseen situation,” but promises not to introduce new restrictions “as long as the measures taken by Ukraine remain in force.” and fully effective.”
Also read: Turkey hopes to resume grain deal with Ukraine
Disagree, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia maintain restrictions
Not enough to convince Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, which immediately announced they would unilaterally maintain their ban. Hungary goes even further and bans other Ukrainian products. “Hungary will close its borders to 24 Ukrainian products,” compared to four previously, to “protect the interests of our farmers,” Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy announced on Facebook. The Budapest embargo now also applies to “flour, cooking oil, honey, certain types of meat and eggs”.
Poland had already announced its intention on Tuesday unilaterally extend the grain import ban Ukrainians. Kiev then threatened to take the matter to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and demand compensation. The issue is particularly sensitive in Poland, where there will be elections in October 2023, and where the current right-wing populist government of the Law and Justice Party enjoys strong support in agricultural regions.
The Slovak government said in a statement that it had “decided to ban grain imports at the national level until the end of the year.” Romania, in turn, “regretted” Brussels’ decision and said it was waiting for Kiev’s action plan before implementing possible measures.
Unlike its neighbors, Bulgaria announced on Thursday that it would lift the embargo in the name of “solidarity with Ukraine.”
These restrictions were heavily criticized by a section of the Twenty-Seven, led by France and Germany, who denounced distortions within the Common Market.
At the same time, the Europeans are trying to strengthen the routes for transporting Ukrainian grain to the rest of the world after the end of the agreement with Russia in mid-July on transit across the Black Sea in all directions. The EU has developed “solidarity” land and river corridors through Poland and Romania, which have made it possible to transport 44.4 million tons of Ukrainian grain, or 60% of Ukrainian production, to supply consumers to countries, especially in Africa, since the start of the war.
Read alsoInterview – Ukrainian grain: “The Danube is not enough to replace the Black Sea ports”
(With AFP)