European Parliament and Council reach a preliminary agreement on trade liberalization with Ukraine. Protective measures for EU farmers are envisaged

The day before, the European Parliament and the European Council reached a preliminary agreement to continue liberalizing the trade regime for Ukraine. It provides for a number of protective measures for EU farmers. This was reported by the press service of the European Parliament.

As noted, the relevant agreements were reached on Monday.

“Members of the European Parliament and the Council Presidency have agreed to extend the suspension of import duties and quotas on exports of Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU for another year, until June 5, 2025, to support Ukraine in the face of a brutal aggressive war by Russia. These unilateral trade liberalization measures will help stabilize the Ukrainian economy and facilitate the country’s gradual integration into the EU internal market,” the statement said.

The press release details that, according to the agreements, “in the event of a significant disruption in the EU market or the markets of one or more EU countries due to Ukrainian imports, for example, of wheat, it guarantees that the Commission can take quick steps and introduce any measures it deems necessary.”

“As part of the enhanced safeguard measures to protect EU farmers, an emergency brake may be triggered for particularly sensitive agricultural products, namely poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, cereals, corn and honey. Negotiators agreed to extend the baseline period used as a basis for applying this automatic protection, which means that if imports of these products exceed the average imports recorded in the second half of 2021, as well as during 2022 and 2023, tariffs will be reviewed. In addition, the Commission undertakes to strengthen the monitoring of grain imports, in particular, wheat,” the statement said.

In addition, the legislators approved the Commission’s commitment to discuss permanent tariff liberalization with Ukraine as part of the Association Agreement review process, once the legislative procedure for temporary liberalization is completed, and to ensure the active participation of the Parliament in this process.

Rapporteur Sandra Kalniete (European People’s Party, Latvia), commenting on the decision, said: “The consequences of Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine and its economy are being felt by EU farmers. With this new agreement with the Council, we have strengthened safeguards to protect EU farmers in the event of market disruptions caused by Ukrainian imports. By extending trade support measures for another year, this agreement is also a testament to the EU’s ongoing solidarity and unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal war of aggression, until Ukraine is defeated.”

The European Parliament is expected to vote on the regulation during its plenary session in April, followed by approval by the Council. The current trade measures are set to expire on June 5, 2024, and the new rules are expected to enter into force immediately after that date.

Tags: agricultural products, restrictions, eggs, honey, Ukraine, corn, EU, sugar, Meat