EU extends duty-free access for Ukrainian farm exports with safeguards

What Was Decided

Negotiators provisionally agreed to renew the temporary suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports for another year, until 5 June 2025, to support Ukraine amid Russia’s war of aggression. The deal keeps an emergency brake for poultry, eggs and sugar, expands that list to oats, maize, groats and honey, allows tariffs to be re-imposed if imports exceed the 2022 and 2023 average volumes, and gives the Commission the power to impose measures if Ukrainian imports significantly disrupt EU or member state markets, with a requirement to act within 14 days if trigger levels are reached.

Who Is Affected

The measures affect Ukrainian exporters and EU farmers, and involve the European Commission, Parliament and Council in implementation and approval; the press release also notes that similar measures for Moldova were extended for another year after 24 July 2024.

What Comes Next

Parliament and Council must give their final green light to the provisional agreement and the new regulation should enter into force immediately after the current suspension expires on 5 June 2024.