EU presidency: Import tariffs on Ukrainian agricutural products to be reinstated
Following major protests by farmers across Europe in recent weeks, negotiators from EU member states and the European Parliament agreed overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday to reintroduce import duties on many Ukrainian agricultural products. These duties were suspended after the Russian invasion in early 2022 in a bid to strengthen the Ukrainian economy.
A certain amount of eggs, poultry, sugar, maize, oats, groats and honey will still be allowed to be sold duty-free in the European Union. However, once this quantity is reached, tariffs will apply again. Wheat will remain exempt from the renewed tariffs, but measures may be taken in certain circumstances. According to the provisional agreement, these rules will apply until June next year.
The Parliament and EU member states still have to formally approve the deal.
Farmers' protests
Following farmers' protests, the European Commission had already temporarily agreed to less stringent environmental laws. But Eastern European farmers have long been calling for changes in Ukrainian-European trade policy. For months, Polish farmers have been criticising the import of cheap agricultural products from Ukraine. They want to prevent cheaper Ukrainian goods from entering the Polish market.
Unfair competition from Ukraine has also been criticised by four other Eastern European countries, and less than a week ago France backed the farmers' demands.
© PHOTO SERGEY BOBOK / AFP
Related news:
