Most of the members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture, including Daniel Buda (EPP, Romanian), Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spanish), Ulrike Müller (Renew Europe, German) and Anne Sander (EPP, French), said, on Tuesday 28 November, that European agricultural sectors (cereals, poultry, eggs, sugar) were still suffering from the effects of Ukrainian exports of agricultural products.
Pierre Bascou, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Agriculture (DG AGRI), said that the European Commission was currently working to improve the efficiency of the Ukrainian export licensing system (see EUROPE 13251/1). The system put in place in mid-September works, if both parties use it. “Let’s not forget that in Hungary and Slovakia there are restrictions on imports transiting through these countries”, Mr Bascou reiterated. The Commission is in close contact with Ukraine’s neighbours to address their concerns. Ukraine is working with Romania to set up a licensing system. In addition, discussions between Ukraine and Romania are progressing on exports to third countries.
“I have to tell you that, so far, we don’t see any negative developments for the European agricultural sector, but the picture is different for each sector. As far as poultry, eggs, oilseeds and protein crops are concerned, there are indeed a number of issues that we are monitoring very closely”, stressed the Commission representative.
Another area of work is improving ‘Solidarity Lanes’.
Furthermore, in response to MEPs’ concerns about the standards to which Ukrainian agricultural products are subject, the EU is ensuring that sanitary and phytosanitary standards are respected. Mr Bascou acknowledged that, when it comes to animal welfare, for example, Ukraine is lagging behind.
Next year, in June, the Commission could, according to Pierre Bascou, review the measures (extended for one year in June 2023) designed to facilitate exports of Ukrainian products, “taking into account global food security and sectoral concerns in the EU”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)