Ukrainian cereals: Paris and Berlin opposed to the extension of restrictions in the EU
France and Germany opposed on Tuesday a possible extension of restrictions imposed by five Eastern European countries on imports of Ukrainian cereals. At the end of April, the European Commission authorized five neighboring Member States of Ukraine – Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania – to ban the marketing of Ukrainian cereals on their territory, provided that they do not prevent transit to other countries.
Intended to cushion the impact on local markets of the influx of Ukrainian agricultural products, these restrictions “temporary” are due to end in mid-September, but the five states last week called for their extension until the end of the year.
judged “unacceptable” by Kiev, the possibility of an extension is already fiercely criticized by several of the Twenty-Seven, half of whom opposed these restrictions authorized for these States in the spring, denouncing distortions within the common market.
“The Commission must now make it clear that this is not possible. These measures are limited in time, it is unacceptable that certain Member States disregard the treaties in force”was indignant the German Minister of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir. “We stand in solidarity with Poland: we are ready to help it financially (…). What is unacceptable is that we solve electoral problems on the back of Ukraine”he hammered, in reference to the Polish elections at the end of 2023.
The five countries bordering Ukraine have already been allocated €156 million in aid from the EU’s agricultural crisis reserve.
“There can be no unilateral measures or individual adventure, it is only collectively that we will face the challenge of market destabilization”added the French Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau.