The EU will discuss the barrier to Ukrainian grain

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According to the state-owned Polish Radio, “separate” bans by Eastern European countries on the import of grain from Ukraine will replace EU-wide restrictions. Presumably this issue will be discussed today by European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis with representatives of Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, as well as Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. The latter will be required to agree with the EU measures in order to close the possibility of challenging them in the WTO. The information has not been officially confirmed.

• Stopping the supply of Ukrainian grain (but not the "transit of solidarity") was recently announced by Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and today Bulgaria . Romania, the last of the EU countries bordering Ukraine, has so far abstained from the ban, although farmers have also protested there .
• The motivation is the same everywhere: cheap Ukrainian grain, not all of which can be exported further, has filled local markets and poses a threat to local producers. For example, the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture said that Ukrainian agricultural producers using agricultural technologies banned in the EU (pesticides, etc.) receive a low cost of not only grains and oilseeds, but also chicken, eggs and honey.
• The main reason for the influx of Ukrainian grain in the EU is considered to be the restriction of exports through the Black Sea ports due to hostilities, and then Russia's opposition in the framework of the "grain deal". This week, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell , said that Russia was delaying the inspection of 50 grain ships. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the Ukrainian side of letting the ships through for bribes, and the State Duma believes that the deal should not be extended after May 18. Another reason is the zero import duties on all Ukrainian exports at the beginning of last June for one year.
• With regard to the actions of its Eastern European members, the EU authorities have so far limited themselves to stating that such unilateral decisions are unacceptable, and promising to allocate another 100 million euros to help the most affected farmers. Ukraine expressed regret over the position of Poland, and the country's agrarian unions called for the lifting of restrictions.

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