Hungary remains the only neighboring country of Ukraine that still maintains unilateral restrictions against Ukrainian agricultural imports. The spokesperson for the European Commission (EC) on Trade and Agriculture, Miriam Garcia Ferrer, stated this today in Brussels, Ukrinform reports.
The EC spokesperson noted that Hungary is still the only country that has not lifted its unilateral measures against agricultural exports from Ukraine. A package of assistance has been offered to EU countries on the condition that the unilateral measures are withdrawn, she added.
She recalled that on April 28, the EC agreed with four of Ukraine's neighboring countries (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) on a package of measures to be implemented after the countries lifted their unilateral actions against agricultural imports from Ukraine. The package included direct assistance to affected farmers in five countries, including Romania.
Ferrer added that these measures were presented on May 3. They discussed EUR 100 million aid package and the conditions for its disbursement. At this point, it is expected that certain unilateral measures that have been introduced will be eliminated, and then the next steps will be taken, Miriam Garcia Ferrer said.
She noted that this money is allocated from the EU's so-called agricultural reserve of EUR 450 million per year.
The EC spokesperson noted that part of this amount for the first aid package (EUR 56 million) has already been used. Now another EUR 100 million have been proposed for the second package and smaller amounts for countries affected by other market situations and crises. There is still more than half of this amount and it will be used if another crisis or situation arises.
Ferrer also confirmed that the EC had received an appeal from several member states protesting the allocation of aid from the agricultural reserve to countries that resort to blackmail around the transit of grain from Ukraine.
The spokesperson said that the EC would soon respond to these countries’ appeal.
As reported, on May 2, the EC announced temporary measures on imports from Ukraine. They limit the supply of Ukrainian agricultural products to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. The restrictions will apply to four agricultural products (wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds) originating in Ukraine and will remain in force until June 5, 2023.
