EU Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski issued a statement after meeting with representatives of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia, which are against the import of agricultural products from Ukraine and have implemented measures against it.
In the statement, it was pointed out that comprehensive proposals prepared by the EU were presented to these countries to address their concerns about the worsening of the producers’ situation.
Noting that the package prepared includes a new agricultural financial support to EU farmers affected by Ukrainian grain, exceptional protection measures for basic products and measures to facilitate the transition of Ukrainian grain exports, it was informed that the package proposed by the Commission will come into force if the member states remove the unilateral measures put into practice.
In the statement, the importance of following a common EU approach instead of unilateral solutions that put the functioning of the internal market at risk, emphasized that political consultations will continue for a quick solution.
Under the package, an additional 100 million euros will be given to farmers in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia.
If its grain is allowed to transit, these countries will be able to prevent some Ukrainian products from entering their markets for a while.
With the start of the Russia-Ukraine War and the inability to make shipments from the Black Sea ports for a long time, a significant amount of Ukrainian grain and food products began to be sent to Eastern and Central European countries.
Local producers, especially in the countries of the region, were complaining about this situation.
Farmers in the countries of the region have long wanted to stop importing cheap agricultural products from Ukraine. Particularly in Poland, farmers frequently organized protests on this issue.
Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia have decided to impose a temporary ban on grain and food from Ukraine.
Poland announced that the transit passage of the products in question would not be allowed on its territory, and after the negotiations, it decided to allow it.
