European Commission calls on Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to be constructive on grain issue

The European Commission has called on Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to be constructive after the countries unilaterally announced that they would extend the ban on grain imports from Ukraine, despite the European Commission’s decision to lift it.

“We are aware of the statements of some member states regarding unilateral measures. Now it is important that all countries work in a spirit of compromise and cooperate constructively. We are now focused on implementing the new system that has just been announced,” the Commission spokesperson said.

She added that a meeting with representatives of all interested EU countries this Monday will provide an opportunity to continue discussing this issue.

Ukraine was one of the world’s leading grain exporters before Russia’s invasion in 2022 reduced its ability to deliver agricultural products to world markets through Black Sea ports. Since then, Ukrainian farmers have relied on exporting grain through neighboring countries. However, the flow of grains and oilseeds to neighboring countries has affected the incomes of local farmers and led to a ban on agricultural imports from Ukraine by governments.

In May, the European Union intervened to prevent individual countries from acting unilaterally and imposed its own ban on imports from Ukraine to neighboring countries. Under the EU ban, Ukraine was allowed to export through these countries, provided that the products were sold in other countries.

The EU allowed the ban to be lifted on Friday after Ukraine promised to take measures to tighten controls on exports to neighboring countries. The issue is particularly sensitive in Poland, where elections are due in October and where farmers are a key constituency of the ruling nationalist PiS party. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced on Friday that they will maintain their own restrictions on imports of Ukrainian grain, despite the European Commission’s decision.

As a reminder, Romania has supported Ukrainian grain exports and intends to increase the volume of its transit through its territory over the next month. Romanian farmers have asked the government to unilaterally ban imports of Ukrainian grain.

Tags: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, restrictions, Ukraine, grain, EU