The Ukrainian grain import ban remains in place

By: STA Date: 2023. 05. 12. 09:45

It has been proven once again that Hungarian farmers can always count on the national government. We maintain the ban on grain imports from Ukraine. However, the national restrictions are now replaced by the EU marketing ban. This is the result of the joint action of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania, which forced Brussels to back down, announced Agriculture Minister István Nagy.

(Photo: drnagyistvan.hu)

The head of the ministry said that in accordance with the EU-level agreement at the end of April, our country will withdraw the temporary national import ban on a number of agricultural products from Ukraine, and with this, the EU marketing ban on four crops – wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and rapeseed – will come into force in our country. In order to maintain the continuity of the import ban, however, the national import ban regulations will remain in place for agricultural products included in contracts signed before May 2, 2023. He added that the agreement between the five member states and Brussels did not include the provision, which appears without precedent in EU law, that the EU marketing ban does not apply to contracts signed before May 2, 2023.

The minister reminded that at the end of April, an EU-level agreement was reached regarding grain imports from Ukraine

As a result of the joint action of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania due to the extraordinary grain market situation, Brussels backed down. On May 2, 2023, the European Commission announced its executive order, according to which wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and rapeseed from Ukraine cannot be placed on the market in these countries.

The head of the ministry pointed out that in the case of wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and rapeseed, transit shipments are still allowed

These shipments may leave the territory of Hungary until the end of the fifteenth day from the date of importation, and their exit is continuously checked by the competent authorities. In the case of cereals and oilseeds intended to be imported from other countries, the notification to the Electronic Road Traffic Control System will also remain mandatory, he underlined. Our country considers the further joint, coordinated action of the five Central and Eastern European member states to be an important goal, stressed István Nagy, and highlighted: for the Hungarian government, the protection of Hungarian farmers is a priority, and it is only open to measures that guarantee their interests.

A.M