Brussels, 25/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Dacian Ciolos, European Agriculture Commissioner, said in a press release on 24 October that he is very disappointed by Ukraine's determination to ban wheat exports as of mid-November, as such a measure could add unnecessary tension to international agricultural markets and because those that will suffer most will be the world's poorest.
While acknowledging the intention to ensure food security on its domestic market, the commissioner calls on Ukraine to avoid measures that would result in world price rises and the risk of upsetting traditional trade flows. The Commission states that the embargo on wheat exports would come just at a time when world stocks are sufficient to cover demand, as noted by the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) recently set in place by the G20.
Ciolos points out that, during last year's G20, the major exporting countries undertook to shoulder their responsibility. It was decided that no trade barriers should be imposed, such as bans on exporting products that affect global trade. The G20 action plan had concluded that any policies which distort the production and trade of agricultural products can also be detrimental to long-term food supply security, the commissioner said. (LC/transl.jl)