Brussels European Union (EU) institutions have agreed to extend the suspension of all import duties on products imported from Ukraine, except for sensitive agricultural products, for another year.
The EU Council announced that an agreement had been reached between member states and the European Parliament (EP) on the extension of autonomous trade measures prepared to support Ukraine economically.
Accordingly, the suspension of import duties and quotas for Ukraine’s exports to the EU will be extended until June 5, 2025.
While the political and economic support of the EU to Ukraine will continue, the issues faced by EU farmers regarding Ukrainian products will be taken into account. Within this framework, the EU will safeguard its market in sensitive agricultural products.
The import of products such as poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, corn, cereals, and honey from Ukraine to the EU will be fixed at the average levels of 2022 and 2023. If the import of these products from Ukraine exceeds the specified quantities, customs duties will be reimposed.
The EU Commission will closely monitor the import of sensitive products from Ukraine. In case the specified levels are exceeded, the Commission will take action within 14 days.
The regulation will enter into force after being formally approved by the EP and member states and published in the Official Journal of the EU.
Farmers in European countries have been organizing intense protests in recent times.
Farmers have been demanding higher prices for agricultural products in the face of rising production costs.
Issues such as the EU’s agricultural policies, environmental, climate, and nature restoration goals, cuts in subsidies, high energy, fuel, and fertilizer costs, as well as cheap grain products from Ukraine and other countries, have been among the concerns of farmers in Europe.
source: aa.com.tr/ prepared by Melisa Beğiç