We can maintain the import ban on Ukrainian agricultural products

By: STA Date: 2023. 04. 20. 09:00

During the negotiations with the officials of the European Commission, it was achieved that Hungary can continue to maintain the results and measures related to the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products – Minister of Agriculture István Nagy told MTI on Wednesday in Brussels.

(Photo: drnagyistvan.hu)

István Nagy stated: Hungary continues to ensure the transit of Ukrainian grain, that the crops leave the territory of the country under controlled conditions. The Minister of Agriculture added: further negotiations are underway on what additional product ranges may be affected by the import ban in addition to the four basic products, wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower. He stated that the decision of the member states to act independently in order to prevent all uncontrolled imports of Ukrainian agricultural products led to results. It was worthwhile for Hungary to firmly stand up and protect the interests of Hungarian farmers, as the stand made it turn around and forced the European Commission to take action, he said.

Several countries requested the help of the Union

As István Nagy recalled, the leaders of five EU member states, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania, asked the European Commission to take action in the case of Ukrainian grain flowing into Europe duty-free and causing damage to local farmers. During the negotiations in Brussels, the EU committee made an offer that legalizes all the measures introduced so far, István Nagy pointed out, and then added: among the promises is also the creation of a legal background so that, in addition to ensuring transit, Hungary can continue to maintain an import ban on against Ukrainian agricultural products. In relation to the legal decree valid until June 5th, which is related to the liberalization of trade in Ukrainian agricultural products, Hungary requests guarantees that the regulation can be automatically extended if necessary, he said. The EU committee promised this – he pointed out.

This is how the situation could be changed

The five countries also want to help the European Commission with proposals on how to ensure the delivery of Ukrainian agricultural products through the solidarity corridor to the countries that have traditionally been the destination countries for Ukrainian products. On Wednesday, the European Commission announced a new support package, which will help the farmers of five countries, including Hungarian farmers, who are in a difficult situation due to the unlimited import of Ukrainian grain, with 100 million euros, informed István Nagy.

MTI