Debate: Temporary trade-liberalisation measures supplementing trade concessions applicable to Ukrainian products under the EU/Euratom/Ukraine Association Agreement
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 MARCH 2024
Speaker: Johannes Hahn
Language: EN

The Commission believes its proposal strikes the right balance between continuing our unwavering trade support for Ukraine, while safeguarding the interests of farmers in the European Union. The proposal notably includes a significantly strengthened safeguard mechanism for the imports of products covered by the regulation, including an emergency brake for eggs, poultry and sugar, stabilising imports at average levels imported in 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, to provide further reassurance to concerns as regards the strong increase of grains from Ukraine, the Commission wishes to make the following statement on the monitoring of the imports of grains from Ukraine: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has disrupted pre-existing supply chains. The EU is providing support to Ukraine to resume normal flow of grain and other goods, especially through the Solidarity Lanes, and to ensure that exports of grain can reach the destination, including in particular in third countries and third markets, to support global food security. The Commission is committed to supporting Ukraine while also preserving the interests of the EU grain producers and ensuring a proper functioning of the grain market in the European Union. Given the importance of grain production and grain markets, the Commission will pay particular attention to the monitoring of imports of grain. In its regular dialogue with Ukraine, the Commission will address any issues brought to light by the monitoring. The Commission recalls that imports from Ukraine can be subject to surveillance under Chapter IV of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 on common rules for imports, which can take the form of import licensing, if the trend in imports threatens to cause injury to Union producers, and if the interests of the Union so require. In this regard, the Commission will be ready to use the tools at its disposal as needed. The Commission will continue to report regularly to the Member States on the results of the regular dialogue with Ukraine. For products covered by autonomous trade measures, the Commission recalls that the regulation also provides for a reinforced safeguard mechanism and is ready to activate it in the event of adverse effects on the market for one or several Member States. This statement will be included in the minutes of the plenary part-session. By supporting this file, the Union will send a strong message of continued support to Ukraine in these difficult times.  “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has disrupted pre-existing supply chains. The EU is providing support to Ukraine to resume normal flow of grain and other goods, especially through the Solidarity Lanes, and to ensure that exports of grain can reach their destination, including in particular in third markets, to support global food security. The Commission is committed to supporting Ukraine while also preserving the interest of the EU grain producers and ensuring a proper functioning of the grain market in the EU. Given the importance of grain production and grain markets, the Commission will pay particular attention to the monitoring of imports of grain. In its regular dialogue with Ukraine, the Commission will address any issues brought to light by the monitoring. The Commission recalls that imports from Ukraine can be subject to surveillance under Chapter IV of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 of the European Parliament and the Council of 11 March 2015 on common rules for imports, which can take the form of import licensing, if the trend in imports threatens to cause injury to Union producers and if the interests of the Union so require. In this regard, the Commission will be ready to use the tools at its disposal as needed. The Commission will continue to report regularly to Member States on the results of the regular dialogue with Ukraine. For products covered by ATMs, the Commission recalls that the Regulation also provides for a reinforced safeguard mechanism and is ready to activate it in the event of adverse effects on the market of one or several Member States.”