Negotiations will be difficult
The European Union plans to reconstruct customs duties on imported eggs and sugar from Ukraine on Friday, utilizing the alleged "safety brake". "Financial Times" states that this is simply a consequence to farmers' protests this year in many associate States. The paper cites 2 anonymous sources.
The decision will be made just after the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine, which is facing a Russian invasion. "Financial Times" emphasises that the re-establishment of duties indicates the difficulties that these negotiations may face.
This is the consequence of the fresh trade agreement with Ukraine, which introduces quantitative restrictions on imports of agricultural products said RMF European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill.
RMF FM recalls that since January 2024 Ukraine has exported around 5 000 tonnes of oats to the Union, which means exceeding both the limit (2440 tonnes) and the quota set under the Association Agreement (4 000 tonnes). The duties imposed are high, in line with the maximum level allowed by the planet Trade Organisation.
Safety brake
Earlier this year, the EU agreed to extend trade liberalisation with Ukraine, which included suspension of import duties and quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products by 5 June 2025. The goal was to support Ukraine in the face of the ongoing Russian invasion.
However, the alleged ‘safety brake’ was introduced for certain delicate agricultural products specified as poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, groats, maize and honey. Should imports of these products exceed the average import volume from the second half of 2021 and from the years 2022 and 2023, duties may be reimposed. According to the sources of the Financial Times, this was the case for oats and now besides eggs and sugar.
Restrictions on Ukrainian imports of oats became possible after Poland and France won a more favourable mention period starting in mid-2020 erstwhile imports from Ukraine were at a low level. Initially, the European Commission proposed to brake only 3 products: eggs, poultry and sugar. The amendment concerning the extension of the product list was submitted by PO MEP Andrzej Halicki.
