Slovakia bans imports of agricultural products from Ukraine, but retains transit

UkrAgroConsult

At a meeting on Monday, the Slovak government approved a ban on imports of grain and certain agricultural products from Ukraine starting April 19, but did not restrict their transit through the country.

This was announced by the Minister of Agriculture of Slovakia Samuel Vlčan.

“With today’s resolution, the government does not impose a ban on transit through the ‘solidarity routes’ to ports, so that products from Ukraine destined for third markets outside the EU can continue to be exported,” Vlčan said.

The ban on imports from Ukraine applies to cereals, sugar, dry feed, grain, hops, flax, hemp, fruits and vegetables, processed fruit and vegetable products, as well as wine, ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, honey and bee products.

According to the Slovak minister, this step is aimed at protecting the Slovak agri-food sector and especially consumer health. “Poland has resorted to very strict bans, and we had to react to protect the Slovak market in terms of agricultural and food products, where we are self-sufficient,” he added.

Tags: restrictions, Slovakia, export, grain