EU Committee Votes to Extend Tariff-Free Access for Ukrainian Agricultural Goods – Sky Bulletin
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The Committee on International Trade of the European Parliament has endorsed a proposal to prolong the tariff-free quota for Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for an additional year until March 2024, despite opposition seeking further safeguards for EU farmers.
Incorporated within this extension is an “emergency stop” mechanism. Should exports of poultry, sugar, or eggs surpass thresholds established based on 2022 and 2023 levels, tariffs could be re-imposed as per the European Parliament news release.
Initiated as a response to the disruption caused by Russia’s invasion and subsequent blockading of Ukrainian seaports, this EU facilitation of trade has been critical for Ukraine while concurrently generating discontent amongst farmers in member countries like Poland and Slovakia, given their role as alternative land transit routes.
While the legislature considered broadening the scope of the “emergency brake” to cover more products, these amendments did not gain traction.
The decision is pending final approval by the entire European Parliament, which is set to cast its votes in the following week, with prevailing support indicated by many members.
“The EU is standing by Ukraine’s side by extending trade allowances that are essential for Ukraine’s agricultural sector,” stated MEP Sandra Kalniete from Latvia.
She further highlighted that included safeguards protect EU farmers from potential market flooding.
This measure attempts to strike a balance between assisting Ukraine and safeguarding local EU markets.
Earlier, representatives from EU countries neighboring Ukraine had requested the EU to consider levying custom duties on Ukrainian agricultural products to mitigate the adverse effects felt by their farmers.
This demand comes in the wake of persistent border blockades and demonstrations, particularly at the Polish-Ukrainian border.
FAQ – Extension of Tariff-Free Access for Ukrainian Agricultural Products to the EU
- What does the extension of tariff-free access involve?
The extension allows Ukrainian food producers to continue exporting certain agricultural products to the EU without tariffs for an additional year until March 2024.
- What is the “emergency brake” mechanism?
This mechanism enables the EU to re-impose tariffs on exports of poultry, sugar, and eggs from Ukraine if these exports exceed certain levels established based on exports from 2022 and 2023.
- Why were there calls for more products to be covered under the “emergency brake”?
Some EU lawmakers and farmers expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of increased Ukrainian agricultural imports on the EU market and called for more products to be included in the protection measures.
- What has been the reaction from farmers in EU countries bordering Ukraine?
Farmers from these countries have called for the implementation of customs duties on agricultural exports from Ukraine, citing significant losses due to the redirection of Ukrainian exports through their territories.
- When will the European Parliament hold the final vote on the extension?
The full European Parliament is scheduled to vote on the extension in the next week following the committee’s endorsement.
Conclusion
In light of the ongoing crisis, the European Parliament is taking decisive steps to support Ukraine by extending tariff-free access for its agricultural products to the EU market. By implementing the “emergency brake” provision, the EU aims to safeguard the interests of both Ukrainian exporters and EU farmers. This delicate balance reflects the EU’s commitment to standing in solidarity with Ukraine while considering the economic realities of its member states. The final decision by the full European Parliament will ultimately determine the continuation of such trade measures.
Note: The information presented in this article is sourced and rewritten using various resources on the internet and produced by the AI news feed technology. We, TheUBJ, do not claim the original authorship of the news content. For reference, the original news source is available at https://kyivindependent.com/european-parliament-committee-passes-extension-of-tariff-free-access-to-eu-for-ukrainian-food-producers/.
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