The Twenty-Seven have defended this Monday the need to preserve unity in defense of Ukraine against “unilateral” vetoes on grain imports and although they have recognized the market disruptions caused by the increase in the flow of grain to the five countries bordering Ukraine – Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia – have urged measures to be taken “with the consensus of all.”
This was stated by the acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, at the press conference following the meeting of ministers of the sector that he chaired this Monday in Brussels in reference to the restrictions on wheat and rapeseed seeds. , corn and sunflower that the governments of Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have introduced based on national jurisdictions after the veto granted by the EU expired last Friday.
The minister has pointed out that it should be the Commission that “evaluates and reacts” to the situation of these Member States in relation to unilateral measures that have an impact from a commercial point of view but also the internal market and its unity.
The important thing, Planas stressed, is to avoid a “rupture” within the EU, since it would not benefit either the Twenty-Seven or Ukraine, while criticizing a new systematic attack by Russia.
In this sense, it has been confirmed that “a majority” of the Member States present have rejected the use of unilateral measures. “It is a very complex issue and we do not have to lose sight of our fundamental objective, which is solidarity with Ukraine, with the export of grain, which is essential for its income and also for food security,” he explained.
For its part, Brussels has assured that it will study the measures, while Ukraine has denounced the three countries that have extended the veto to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the same day it presented to the joint platform – made up of representatives from Brussels, Ukraine and the five Member States involved – their plan to control exports, which includes the regular exchange of data between the EU, the Member States and Ukraine, the collection of information on the destination of goods and the creation of an export licensing system.
Representing the Community Executive, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, recalled the scale of the impact for the five countries bordering Ukraine and assured that the ban granted by Brussels on May 2 and extended until September 15 has guaranteed grain exports, which is why he has claimed to be “surprised” by Ukraine’s contrary stance to extend the veto.
“There has been more export of grain with the ban in force,” said the Pole, who has urged to look for ways to support Kiev with new routes for exports until Ukraine “wins the war.”