On Thursday, the member states approved the executive act introducing temporary solutions in trade with Ukraine, which are to apply from June 6 in connection with the expiry of the regulation releasing Ukraine from duties to export to the Union.
This act was proposed by the European Commission, while the decision to accept it on Thursday was made as part of the so -called Committee procedure – it was approved by representatives of the member states in the Committee operating at the EC.
Changes in trade with Ukraine
The EU source confirmed that – in accordance with the adopted temporary solutions – Trade with Ukraine will return, in fact, to the principles from the full -size Russian invasion And it will take place on the basis of an association agreement and free trade from 2016.
– However, the EU will meet Kiev regarding the obligation to obtain a license for 13 agricultural products resulting from the association agreement – the EU source said. These products include Cereal, pork, beef, powder milk, eggs and poultry. It usually takes about six weeks to receive a license.
– Instead, the “First Come, First Serve” solution will be used, in which there are practically no procedures on the border – emphasized the informer of PAP. However, these goods will still be covered by customs and amounts provided for in the association agreement.
Temporary solutions
Association agreement She introduced free trade in the area of industrial goods, but left the amounts and duties to agricultural products, competitive to EU agriculture. The agreement also imposes an obligation to obtain a license for some of them. Of the 40 agricultural products imported from Ukraine, 27 is subject to the principle of “First Come, First Serve”, which is practically limited to the transfer of information on transport by the operator on the border. The export of the remaining 13 EU products before the war required a license. However, as part of temporary solutions, licenses will not be required.
The second temporary solution concerns quotas in trade with Ukraine. It is about limiting the quantity of goods by the end of the year that the country will be able to bring to the Union at preferential customs. Since temporary solutions will come into force in the sixth month of this year, the quantity of goods imported to the EU on more favorable conditions will be limited by five twelve.
The European Commission emphasizes that The adopted solution is to function temporarily – Until the long -term agreement with Ukraine is negotiated under the association agreement.
Resistance from farmers
On June 6, the regulation that released Ukraine from duties and amounts will expire on June 6. Adopted in June 2022 and since then twice extended, it enabled the entry of Ukrainian agricultural goods to the EU without duties.
After farmers' protests in January last year, the EC proposed an extension of duties suspension, but with additional security to protect the EU market. Introduced, among others Import amounts for particularly sensitive agricultural products – poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, corn, groats and honey.
In connection with the voices of criticism from agricultural environments, the EC did not propose an extension of the free trade regulation, but announced the search for a solution under the association agreement.
