EU reaches agreement on import tariffs for Ukrainian agricultural products
EU member states and the European Parliament agreed on Monday to tighten restrictions on agricultural imports from Ukraine, the Belgian EU presidency said. However, a cap on wheat will not be introduced.
A certain amount of eggs, poultry, sugar, maize, oats, groats and honey from Ukraine can be sold duty-free in the EU. However, once this quantity is reached, tariffs will apply. Wheat remains excluded from the renewed levies, but measures may be taken in certain circumstances.
The duty-free imports were agreed after Russia's invasion in February 2022 to continue to provide Ukraine with important income. But some parties have since become more critical, saying the measure threatens European agriculture.
The deal is part of a European effort to meet protesting farmers halfway. On Tuesday, EU agriculture ministers have an informal meeting in Genk where they will discuss how to better support the European agriculture sector.
The compromise between EU member states and the European Parliament was originally reached in March and has now been formally approved. The measures will be extended when the original duty-free imports expire in June.
© PHOTO ROMAN PILIPEY / AFP
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