The European Commission has besides slow understood the request to cancel duty-free imports of cereals from Ukraine,” says Grzegorz Struziński, 1 of the leaders of the farmers' movement in Podkarpacie, commenting on the applicable decision of the European Commission.
Former European Commission spokesperson Balazs Ujvari told journalists that the EU had decided not to extend duty-free imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, which actually means the introduction of duties since Friday.
"We remember then how Poland was threatened by Brussels, as it was promised that they would impose fines on us and reduce payments due from European funds. And now they're doing the same. Apparently, they've reached something. It is simply a pity that it is very slow," Struziński said.
He recalled that Poland, by introducing a national ban on duty-free imports of Ukrainian grain, faced a threat of sanctions from Brussels.
"When the European Commission introduced duty-free imports of Ukrainian grain, Brussels officials did not think of Polish farmers, they put us to ruin. Thank God that our government rapidly realized and with its own decision stopped this grainstorm – frequently of very mediocre quality", he said.
In 2022, the EU introduced duty-free imports of goods from Ukraine to EU associate States. However, due to the uncontrolled supply of Ukrainian agricultural products and problems with the sale of European farmers, especially in countries bordering Ukraine, the European Commission established quotas in 2024 for the 7 most delicate commodities (eggs, poultrymeat, sugar, oats, maize, cereals, honey). This decision was influenced by protests by farmers who, among others, blocked border crossings on the border with Ukraine.
According to media reports, Ukraine wanted to extend favourable conditions for the continuation of duty-free supplies, but the parties were incapable to scope an agreement in time.
More here:
Farmers from Podkarpacie: EC was besides late to realise the request for tariffs on cereals from Ukraine
