The European Parliament and the EU Council have reached a provisional agreement to extend the suspended import duties on Ukrainian agricultural products for another year. In this way, the EU wants to support Ukraine in the face of war, as well as to strengthen some measures to reduce pressure on European farmers.
This information is indicated in the statement of the European Parliament.
According to the statement, duties and quotas on agricultural exports from Ukraine will be suspended for another year, until June 5, 2025. Citing the statement:
"The temporary suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU will be renewed for another year, until 5 June 2025, to support Ukraine amidst Russia’s continuing war of aggression."
However, it is added that in the event of significant disruptions in the market of the European Union (or a particular EU country) due to the import of Ukrainian products, the Commission may take all necessary measures.
It is noted that if there is a "surge of Ukrainian wheat imports", the Commission also undertakes to take measures. The reference period for triggering the emergency brake will be 2022 and 2023, meaning that if imports of these products surpass the average volumes of these two years, tariffs would be re-imposed.
In particular, the statement provides for an emergency brake for particularly sensitive agricultural products: poultry, eggs and sugar, and now oats, corn, cereals and honey have been added.
Rapporteur Sandra Kalniete said:
"Tonight's agreement reinforces the EU’s continued commitment to stand by Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal war of aggression until Ukraine’s victory."
She points out that "Russia's targeting of Ukraine and its food production also impacts EU farmers. The Parliament heard their concerns, and bolstered safeguard measures that would alleviate the pressure on EU farmers should they be overwhelmed by a sudden surge in Ukrainian imports."
If the Parliament and the Council of the EU finally give the green light, the new rules should come into force immediately after the end of the preliminary agreement, i.e. on June 5, 2024.
Earlier, the EU developed a mechanism for purchasing weapons for Ukraine with Russian money.