There are limits for three sensitive products – eggs, poultry and sugar. Initially, the European Commission excluded any quotas, which was protested by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski. Then Brussels allowed such a possibility, but chose an unfavorable reference period on the basis of which the limits would be set – it was last year, when goods from Ukraine flowed in a large stream.
New EC proposal. More favorable provisions
The latest version has more favorable provisions. The idea is that the limits will be set based on the amount of imports from mid-2022 to mid-last year. The Polish commissioner wanted these to be the last three years, but there was no chance of this happening. The latest proposal also eases the procedures for applying the emergency brake, i.e. introducing import restrictions for other products.
Importantly, an application from one country that demonstrates destabilization in its market will be enough and it will not be necessary, as currently, to prove a problem for the entire EU. Restrictions would then be introduced very quickly, and during this time the Commission would thoroughly check the situation and would have several months to do so. The first regulation on trade liberalization with Ukraine was adopted after the outbreak of the war. Then its validity was extended until June 5, 2024.
Farmers’ protests
Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski believes that Polish farmers protested for a just cause. Massive road blockades occurred last Wednesday, among other reasons, due to the inflow of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine.
The minister said on Monday on Radio One that farmers also mentioned the excessive requirements of the European Union regarding greening, which increases production costs, problems with the profitability of farms and the excessive inflow of products from Ukraine. The minister pointed out that similar protests are taking place in other European countries. Currently, farmers in Belgium are among others protesting.
Source: Gazeta
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