On Monday 4 September in Cordoba, Spain, EU agriculture ministers were divided over suggestions by Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, to extend European restrictions on Ukrainian cereal imports until the end of 2023.
In addition, some ministers criticised the Commissioner’s idea of support aid for the transport of cereals to third countries of destination, which would cost €600 million a year (see EUROPE 13240/2).
On Wednesday 6 September, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States to the EU (Coreper) will be discussing Ukrainian agricultural exports and solidarity lanes.
The five countries close to Ukraine (Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria) are calling for an extension until the end of 2023 of the restrictions on Ukrainian cereal imports, which expire on 15 September (see EUROPE 13237/6). Some of them are even prepared to take unilateral measures to impose a ban.
Belgian Minister David Clarinval told journalists near Cordoba on Monday that, like Luxembourg, he was in favour of “partially reopening the doors to Ukrainian cereals”. In his view, these import restrictions were intended to be temporary. He said that he had spoken with the French delegation, which was considering a “cereal quota system” to replace the restrictions. It is “easier to reopen than to release hundreds of millions of euros in aid or quotas”, said Mr Clarinval, who added that Belgium’s position had not yet been finalised.
Marc Fesneau, the French minister, felt that Ukraine should be allowed to move its goods out of its territory and that long-term solutions should be found, including regulatory mechanisms. He is not opposed to continuing restrictions, “but we need to see what framework is used”, he concluded. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)