Five Eastern EU countries once again ask European Commission to bring back import tax on Ukrainian grain

Ministers of Agriculture of Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary have requested the implementation of import tax on Ukrainian grain in a joint letter to the European Commission allegedly due to an unfair advantage.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary on 15 January, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to the Hungarian ministry, in the letter five Eastern EU countries ask the European Commission to take measures to combat the issue of cheaper agricultural products from Ukraine engulfing their export markets.

The signees noted that their countries are producing way more wheat and corn than they need, which is a key condition for the European food trade security and strategic sovereignty of the EU.

Quote: "This is why Brussels needs to implement measures which will protect the markets of the EU member states bordering Ukraine, helping them use their full export potential. The implementation of import fees on the most sensitive agricultural products may be one of these measures."

The Ministers state that the farmers in their countries "have suffered significant losses" after the EU cancelled import quotas and taxes on Ukrainian grain last year. They urge the European Commission to check whether the Ukrainian production rules correspond to EU standards.

In September 2023, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced they would implement restrictions on import of Ukrainian grain after the European Commission decided not to prolong the ban on import to five EU countries neighbouring Ukraine.

In response, Ukraine submitted a complaint to the World Trade Organisation against these three countries, and other EU members condemned their unilateral restrictions.

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