European Commission will propose to restrict grain imports from Russia and Belarus next week

The European Commission is expected to submit a proposal for quantitative restrictions on grain imports from Russia and Belarus next week, amid protests by European farmers and calls from Ukraine to take this step.

Source: European Pravda; RMF FM

Details: An unnamed European diplomat told RMF FM that the European Commission's proposal would include quotas on food products from Russia and Belarus. The EU wants to avoid a full embargo, fearing global price fluctuations and its negative impact on the world's poorer countries. 

Transit of Russian and Belarusian agricultural products will continue to be allowed, the article says.

"Until now, there have been no quantitative restrictions on grain imports from Russia, while such restrictions exist for Ukrainian imports. This decision has become increasingly difficult to support from a moral and political point of view," writes RMF FM.

The data from the European Statistical Office indicates that more than 1.5 million tonnes of grain were imported to the EU in 2023, compared to 970,000 tonnes in 2022. Thus, the problem with Russian agricultural products has become real.

Background:

• In February, the Latvian parliament adopted a temporary import ban on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus until at least July 2025. Latvia said the move is aimed at severing economic ties with Russia and Belarus and complements EU sanctions.
• On 8 March, the Polish Sejm adopted a resolution calling for sanctions to be imposed on imports of Russian and Belarusian food products.

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