European Union Ambassadors have reached a revised agreement to extend tariff-free food imports from Ukraine, albeit with restrictions, following concerns from some member states about the potential destabilization of the EU’s agricultural markets, Reuters reports.
The deal, subject to approval by the European Parliament, aims to strike a balance between supporting Ukraine’s economy and safeguarding EU agricultural interests. The revised agreement, set to run until June 2025, includes changes to the reference period used to determine when tariffs on certain products would be applied. Despite pressure from some EU countries to include wheat, no additional products were added to the list subject to tariffs.
Tensions surrounding food imports have strained relations between Ukraine and Poland, with the latter expressing concerns about the impact on its agricultural sector and advocating for measures to protect domestic farmers. Ukraine argues that disruptions to its grain exports, caused by farmers’ protests and blockades, are detrimental to its economy and war effort against Russia.
