European Commission approves proposal to increase tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus

The European Commission has approved a proposal to raise tariffs on imports of grains, oilseeds and their processed products from Russia and Belarus. The decision was approved on Friday and sent to the Council for approval, where it must be supported by a qualified majority.

“The European Commission today proposes to increase tariffs on imports into the EU of grains, oilseeds and their derivatives from Russia and Belarus, including wheat, corn and sunflower meal. These tariffs, although high enough to suppress such imports to the EU in practice, will not affect exports to third countries,” the EC emphasized.

It is noted that these measures are aimed at achieving several goals. In particular, to prevent the destabilization of the EU market through any “future significant redirection of Russian grain products to the EU market”.

The measures are also aimed at combating Russian exports of misappropriated grain produced in Ukraine, some of which was illegally exported to the EU market, deliberately labeled as “Russian”. “The tariffs proposed today ensure that this illegal method of export will no longer be profitable,” the European Commission explained.

In addition, the proposed measures will prevent Russia from using revenues from exports to the EU – both Russian and illegally supplied Ukrainian grain products – to finance its aggressive war against Ukraine.

The increased tariffs will also apply to Belarus, given the country’s close political and economic ties with Russia. “Moreover, by including Belarus in the new measures, the EU will not allow Russia to use Belarus to circumvent the new tariffs and direct its goods to the EU market,” the European Commission emphasized.

At the same time, the current proposal does not affect the transit of grains, oilseeds and their products from Russia and Belarus to third countries.

Tags: grain, EU, wheat, Belarus, sunflower meal, restrictions, Russia, corn