EU to extend Ukrainian agriculture free trade, adding safeguards for farmers

European Union member states have agreed to renew a deal with Ukraine to remove import duties on agricultural products, but have included more safeguards to keep the imports from driving down prices at the expense of European farmers who have been protesting across the continent.

Polish farmers drive tractors in a convoy in Minsk Mazowiecki, 20 February 2024, as a nationwide protest against the import of Ukrainian foods intensifies. © Czarek Sokolowski/AP

European member states on Wednesday agreed to allow Ukrainian and Moldovan products to enter the EU without import duties for another year, after the current deal expires in June.

“By agreeing to renew these measures, we are showing our steadfast support to Ukraine and Moldova, while protecting the internal market from excessive increases in imports of certain sensitive agricultural products,” said Hadja Lahbib, the Foreign Affairs minister of Belgium, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.

Europe's farmers, faced with dropping prices, have said that imports of agricultural products from Ukraine has created unfair competition, as the products do not need to meet European environmental and social standards.

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European Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas said at the end of January that EU monitoring has not shown a detrimental impact on the market as a whole, though he acknowledged "some adverse effects which are more localised in a few countries".

Polish farmers this week have been blocking the border with Ukraine to protest against imports.

The Commission’s proposal allows for “quick remedial action” in the face of “significant disruptions” of the market, even if it affects just one member state.

For three particularly sensitive products – poultry, eggs and sugar – there is an “emergency break” that can be used to stop duty-free imports from rising beyond the 2022-2023 average.

The value of Ukrainian agricultural imports increased 11 percent from January to September 2023.

While it welcomed some of the safeguards, the Copa-Cogeca farmers union said they were not enough.

The emergency break limits are too high, it said, as “ it is precisely these volumes that have contributed to the current plight of EU producers”, and no restrictions are planned for grain or honey, despite Ukraine’s large production capacity.

"This approach will fail to address the concerns of farmers currently protesting. Instead, it will likely lead to further demonstrations,” warned the union.

The European Parliament will vote on the text during a plenary session in April, ahead of elections to be held in June.

(with AFP)