On Tuesday 12 September, the Polish government announced that it would unilaterally extend the ban on Ukrainian grain imports beyond 15 September, while the European Commission seeks consensus-based solutions (see EUROPE 13244/15).
“Whatever the Commission’s subsequent decision, we will not open the border to Ukrainian grain after that date”, according to the government, which stressed that it was continuing to seek a solution at the European level.
“However, if the Commission does not maintain the embargo, we will implement these solutions ourselves. This is a fundamental issue. The interests of Polish farmers are the most important thing for us”, said Warsaw.
Ukraine, for its part, has announced that it is ready to take Poland to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to demand compensation for the ban on Ukrainian grain imports.
Poland is asking the EU to extend the ban on imports of four grains: wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds. Poland has indicated that the ban “will remain in force until order is restored to agricultural relations between Poland and Ukraine”.
The Member States close to Ukraine (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) have asked to extend the import bans into their countries. The issue is particularly sensitive in Poland, where elections will be held next month. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)