The EU Commissioner for Agriculture was asked about extending the EU embargo on Ukrainian grains beyond September 15 this year.
The European Commission imposed a ban on imports of wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflowers from Ukraine to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia in early May as a result of an agreement with these countries on Ukrainian agricultural food products. Initially, the ban lasted until June 5, then it was extended until September 15. The transit of grain through the territories of the so-called frontline countries is permitted.
– Commissioner Wojciechowski said that the matter is no longer on my desk, but on the desk of the President of the European Commission. He said: My task, which I have done well, is to present arguments for extending this ban.
He noted that since May 2, Ukrainian grains have not affected the markets of five countries, including the Polish market. “This ban is working,” he added.
He added that the data show that before the imposition of the ban, Ukraine exported on average less than 3 million tons of grain per month through the so-called solidarity corridors, that is, across the borders of five countries and through their territories.
– From May to July, using the same route, even with the embargo, Ukraine exported 3 million 200 thousand. tons per month on average. Such was the volume of these exports, that is, we succeeded in achieving market stability in five member states. He added that these five countries’ exports of Ukrainian grains increased.
According to Wojciechowski, “There will likely be a second extension.” He pointed out that everything is moving in this direction, and the arguments are too strong to ignore.
As he said, the embargo should be extended because the alternative is a return to chaos, unilateral embargoes in member states, and a possible agricultural blockade.
-At this moment everything is ready for the decision to extend this extension. He added: “But I cannot announce or announce this decision in this currency.” When asked who would announce this decision, he replied: This matter has not been decided yet. We still have two days. He added that the previous extension decision was taken on June 5, which was the last day of the previous ban.
On Tuesday, the Polish Cabinet adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to extend the ban on grain imports from Ukraine after September 15. She stressed that if this did not happen, Poland would impose such a ban at the national level.
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