2023-09-07 16:10:30
Most EU countries are against the extension of the ban for import of Ukrainian grain after mid-September, four EU diplomats told Politico, rejecting calls by five eastern member states to keep the restrictions in place, the publication reported.
Ukrainian grain products – wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds – are banned from the markets of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia until September 15, but the five countries want the restrictions extended at least until the end of the year.
At a meeting with the Commission on Wednesday, EU ambassadors from the other 22 member states either openly opposed the idea of extending the restrictions or remained deeply skeptical, a senior EU diplomat told Politico. France and Germany are among the countries most critical of the extension, the diplomat said.
Two diplomats said that while many countries recognized the difficulties facing the five eastern countries, they had asked the Commission to propose alternative measures.
One EU diplomat said asking for an extension would be “purely political”, with Poland’s upcoming general election looming over the discussion.
Poles will vote in mid-October. With farmers protesting an influx of Ukrainian grain they see as a threat to their livelihoods, the deal’s demise could have political ramifications for the conservative government led by the Law and Justice party (PiS).
A senior Polish official acknowledged that the election played a role.
“The reason for the introduction of restrictive measures at the EU level was the fact that farmers started blocking roads and terminals. And we have to avoid the situation where desperate farmers or radical farmers’ union leaders take advantage of this situation,” the official said.
From his side Ukraine argued that there was no evidence to suggest price deviations or a significant increase in grain supplies that would justify extending import restrictions.
A Commission analysis on July 27 showed that the deal, which aims to transit Ukrainian grain through eastern EU members to other EU countries and third countries, is not working.
The document shows that after the deal was implemented in April, wheat and corn exports fell in May and June.
And despite an increase in wheat and corn imports from Ukraine following Russia’s invasion last February, “the situation on the EU market is quite stable,” the document shows.
The Commission itself will decide how to approach.
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