The European Parliament in Strasbourg gave the green light on Wednesday for extension of liberalization of trade in agricultural products between the EU, Ukraine, and Moldova. As for Ukraine, the proposal by the European Commission has been amended to strengthen safeguards for farmers in the EU.
The European Parliament approved by a majority vote the amendment to the EC proposal regarding the suspension of tariffs and import quotas for Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from June 6, 2024, to June 5, 2025.
The decision grants the EC the authority to take swift action and impose any necessary measures in the event of significant market disruptions in the EU or in the markets of one or more EU countries due to imports from Ukraine.
The initial proposal concerned poultry, eggs, and sugar. The European Parliament added cereals (wheat, barley, oats, and corn) and honey to this group.
The next step will be negotiations with the EU Council on the final shape of the decision.
Immediately after the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the EU introduced autonomous trade measures (ATMs) in June 2022, allowing duty-free access to the EU for all Ukrainian products. In 2023, these measures were extended for another year.
In January, the EC proposed the suspension of import duties and quotas for Ukrainian and Moldovan exports for another year.
The European Parliament decided to postpone all tariffs on Moldovan imports for an additional year in a separate vote on Wednesday.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine also heavily impacted Moldova, as it is heavily reliant on Ukrainian transit routes and infrastructure for its own exports.
Moldova was able to reroute a portion of its trade with the rest of the world via the EU thanks to trade liberalization measures. Since the association agreement was signed, the majority of Moldova’s exports have been granted duty-free access to the EU market.
The EU member states will now need to formally approve the measures in the case of Moldova. After the current regulation expires, the new regulation should go into effect right away.
The current suspension expires on June 5, 2024, for Ukraine and on July 24, 2024, for Moldova. Regarding Ukraine, MEPs will commence negotiations with the EU Council.
The decision grants the EC the authority to take swift action and impose any necessary measures in the event of significant market disruptions in the EU or in the markets of one or more EU countries due to imports from Ukraine.
The initial proposal concerned poultry, eggs, and sugar. The European Parliament added cereals (wheat, barley, oats, and corn) and honey to this group.
The next step will be negotiations with the EU Council on the final shape of the decision.
Immediately after the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the EU introduced autonomous trade measures (ATMs) in June 2022, allowing duty-free access to the EU for all Ukrainian products. In 2023, these measures were extended for another year.
In January, the EC proposed the suspension of import duties and quotas for Ukrainian and Moldovan exports for another year.
The European Parliament decided to postpone all tariffs on Moldovan imports for an additional year in a separate vote on Wednesday.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine also heavily impacted Moldova, as it is heavily reliant on Ukrainian transit routes and infrastructure for its own exports.
Moldova was able to reroute a portion of its trade with the rest of the world via the EU thanks to trade liberalization measures. Since the association agreement was signed, the majority of Moldova’s exports have been granted duty-free access to the EU market.
The EU member states will now need to formally approve the measures in the case of Moldova. After the current regulation expires, the new regulation should go into effect right away.
The current suspension expires on June 5, 2024, for Ukraine and on July 24, 2024, for Moldova. Regarding Ukraine, MEPs will commence negotiations with the EU Council.
