The Ministers of Agriculture of 13 countries of the European Union (EU) expressed “serious concerns” to the European Commission in connection with the permission granted by Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia to suspend the import of Ukrainian grain.
In a letter sent to the European Commission, the ministers believe that the authorization given to the five countries “leads to differentiated treatment in the domestic market,” according to the letter, quoted by Spanish news agency Europa Press.
The letter was signed by the ministers of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, France, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
This is a temporary and exceptional protective measure, valid from May 2 to June 5, which applies to wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine.
The European Commission has agreed on measures for Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia to lift national bans they have unilaterally placed on agricultural products from the neighboring country.
The agreement includes a second tranche of 100 million euros in financial assistance to these front-line countries, in addition to 56.3 million euros financed from the agricultural reserve already provided to Bulgarian, Polish and Romanian farmers.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the EU suspended customs duties on Ukrainian goods to allow Kyiv to export grains, given the blockage of regular Black Sea routes.
In a letter, 13 ministers acknowledged that the import of Ukrainian products to the EU, in particular grains and oilseeds, could destabilize the markets of Ukraine’s neighboring member states due to increased supply.
The situation has led to falling prices and incomes for farmers in the affected countries, they acknowledged in a letter sent to the Commission on Wednesday.
The 13 ministers also criticized the European Commission for taking the measure without prior consultation with 27 member states and demanded clarification on the criteria used to propose the €100 million package amount.
The signatories called on Europeans to stand in solidarity with Ukraine, and affected farmers continued to lead EU action.
They also urged their differences “not to serve the interests of Russia,” which invaded Ukraine last February.
Miriam Garcia Ferrer, a spokeswoman for the Commission on Agriculture and Trade, acknowledged receipt of the letter and assured that other Member States were informed of the agreement reached as part of the normal procedure.
He also recalled that the regulation on the suspension of customs duties in relation to Ukraine, extended until June 2024, contains an article that allows taking preventive measures in case of market disruption.
Community executive spokeswoman Dana Spinant said Brussels will respond to the letter and present arguments to explain to signatory member states the reasons for the package of measures, Europa Press added.
png // SKA
Lusa/The End
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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