EU may expand the list of Ukrainian agricultural products subject to safeguard measures

The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the European Union at the level of ambassadors (Coreper) has started formal discussions on extending duty-free trade with Ukraine for another year. At the same time, at the initiative of several EU member states, the EU may extend “exceptions” to supplies to the EU, in addition to wheat, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, to corn, oats, cereals and honey.

A representative of the Belgian EU Presidency said that it is proposed to include oats, corn, cereals, and honey among the goods subject to “automatic” safeguard measures.

At the same time, it is proposed to reduce the period for activation of such protective measures from 21 to 14 days. Additional parameters that may trigger such restrictions are expected to be adopted for wheat and other cereals. At the same time, the Member States are proposed to introduce stricter controls on imports of cereals and sunflower. The European Commission will be asked to tighten control over the volumes of supplies of these goods from Ukraine and to take timely measures to prevent destabilization of the European agricultural market.

“As we understand it, some of the delegations are still not fully satisfied with the proposals agreed upon in the trilateral negotiations. Some of them would like to see even stricter protection introduced, while others would like to maintain the scope of autonomous measures in trade with Ukraine,” said the representative of the Belgian EU Presidency.

After discussions at the ambassadorial level, compromise solutions, if found, will be submitted to European capitals for consultations. The final decision is expected to be made public on Wednesday evening.

Tags: grain, EU, wheat, sunseed, rapeseed, oats, restrictions, honey, Ukraine, corn