The European Commission has adopted extraordinary and temporary preventative measures regarding the import of agricultural products from Ukraine in order to alleviate the difficulties caused by the temporary lifting of EU import restrictions on Ukrainian grain, the Brussels body said on Tuesday.

The leaders of five EU member states, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania, requested in mid-April that the European Commission take action on Ukrainian grain entering Europe duty-free, causing harm to local farmers. Prior to this, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Bulgaria unilaterally imposed an import ban on Ukrainian agricultural products.

According to a statement from the European Commission, the measures now adopted were necessary due to the exceptional circumstances caused by severe logistical problems experienced in the five member states. The measures initially affect four agricultural products from Ukraine: wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds. The measures came into effect on 2 May and will remain valid until 5 June. During this period, the listed four products can continue to be freely marketed in all EU member states, except for the five member states most affected by the lifting of import restrictions. The products can continue to be traded within or be transported through these five member states within the framework of a common transit procedure, or they can be exported to countries or territories outside the EU. It was highlighted that Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Bulgaria

have committed to lifting their unilateral measures on wheat, corn, rapeseed, sunflower seeds,

and all other products originating from Ukraine.

The EU Commission stated that the measures introduced on Tuesday allay the concerns of agricultural producers in the countries that border with Ukraine, while maintaining the EU’s strong commitment to supporting Ukraine and preserving its ability to export grain, which is ‘crucial for global food security and keeping food prices low.’ The measures are part of a comprehensive support package proposed by the European Commission and will be supplemented by financial assistance for agricultural producers in the five member states and additional measures to facilitate Ukrainian grain exports through transit routes to other member states and countries outside the EU. The Commission also stated that it is ready to introduce preventative measures again for the import of agrifood products from Ukraine after the expiration of the regulation on 5 June, should the exceptional circumstances continue.

Related articles: