Poland does not yet support the introduction of pre-war quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products

Poland does not currently support the initiative of Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia to return to pre-war quotas on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine.

This was stated by Polish Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekerski during a meeting of European agriculture ministers, Suspilne reports.

He noted that the European Commission plays a key role in regulating trade policy. Poland is holding consultations with the countries bordering Ukraine, as well as with the European Commission and other participants in the negotiation process.

“Our position is that we have to discuss it now, but we also just don’t know what will happen in the coming days. Tariffs, the military situation in Ukraine, all this requires a certain perspective,” said Czeslaw Ciekerski.

The Polish minister emphasized that future trade measures depend on the military situation in Ukraine and possible changes in the EU trade policy. Another important issue is Ukraine’s compliance with European standards in agricultural production and sustainable development.

“Much depends on how the situation changes, because the amount of our assistance may change accordingly. And our negotiations, our bilateral negotiations, should also include what the Ukrainian side will offer, i.e., to adopt our standards and requirements for agricultural production in Europe or standards in the field of sustainable development in Ukraine. But, of course, we will be able to take a better look at all this when the military situation in Ukraine becomes clear. We believe that the countries bordering Ukraine, of course, feel the consequences of market opening the most, and this will require action at the level of the Commission,” said the Polish Minister of Agriculture.

Poland maintains constant contacts with Ukraine, and a meeting of the intergovernmental commission is scheduled for March 13 to consider further steps to regulate agricultural trade.

Thus, Poland is currently neither for nor against the return to quotas and is waiting for consultations within the EU to find a compromise solution that will suit all parties.

“All this is an open debate. And we have the position of four countries. But at this time, as a presiding country, we are neither for nor against, because even if we as a country are a party, we as a presiding country have to look for compromises. … We will have a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on March 13, and we also constantly maintain bilateral contacts,” the Polish official summarized.

Tags: Ukraine, EU, Poland, agricultural products, restrictions