European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski is urging the European Commission to take new measures against what he believes are market-distorting effects of increased Ukrainian agricultural exports to EU countries. The Commission wants to extend the exemption from import duties and quotas for another year.
European organizations of arable farmers, grain sellers and poultry traders that are affiliated with the EU agricultural umbrella organization Copa-Cosega have supported Wojciechowski's renewed plea in an urgent letter to Brussels.
Wojciechowski insists that the new decree, which comes into effect on June 5, must include restrictions on the import of sugar and poultry meat from Ukraine. According to him, imports of poultry and sugar from Ukraine have increased significantly recently, threatening the competitiveness of the EU market and Polish sugar and poultry production.
On the other hand, European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis wants to relax the current restrictions. He calls for complete abolition of the temporary embargo that was imposed on Ukrainian imports last year at the request of Poland and four other EU neighbors. This position is also supported by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The new Polish Minister of Agriculture, Czesław Siekierski, also believes that new European agreements on Ukrainian imports should be made.
In addition, European Transport Commissioner Adina Valean has now also intervened in the conflict over the Polish blockades of several border crossings into Ukraine. Although angry Polish farmers have now lifted some border blockades, it is now mainly Polish truck drivers who only allow Ukrainian trucks to pass through sparingly.
Previously, they were not allowed to take on jobs in EU countries but had to return 'empty'. After the lifting of the EU restrictions, they are allowed to do this, which is why Polish drivers regard them as new competitors.
The Ukrainian government says road transport of agricultural products is becoming less important as the Black Sea shipping route has become increasingly reusable in recent months. After the successful drilling of several Russian naval vessels in ports in Crimea, the Russian military threat in the western part of the Black Sea has further diminished. According to Ukrainian media, seaborne exports are already back to three-quarters of pre-war levels.