The European Commission proposes to introduce tariffs on Russian grain
March 22, 2024
The European Commission (EC) has proposed introducing tariffs on imports of grains and oilseeds, such as rapeseed and sunflower seeds, from Russia and Belarus. This is what a document published on the EC’s official website states on Friday, March 22, in the form of a question and answer session.. The proposal still needs to be approved by EU member states.
According to EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovkis, the tariffs will allow Russia to limit the import of “stolen Ukrainian grain” into the EU market. Under the proposals, tariffs would increase to 95 euros per tonne, or 50% of the value of imports. Until now, most cereals and oilseeds were either not subject to taxes or were “very low”, explains the AFP agency. Additionally, Russia and Belarus will no longer have access to any of the EU’s cereal quotas, which provide more favorable tariff treatment for some products, the publication notes.
The tariff increase will also affect Belarus due to its “strong political and economic ties with Russia,” which militarily invaded Ukraine, Dombrovskis said. “If Belarus is not included in the proposed tariff increase aimed at Russia, this could lead to Russia using Belarus to bypass EU tariffs and direct its products to the EU market,” he said.
EC: “These are not sanctions”
The European Commission believes that the proposed measures will lead to a reduction in EU cereal imports from Russia and Belarus by almost 5 million tonnes per year. Please note that these are not sanctions and that the increase in tariffs will continue to allow transit through EU countries, transport on EU ships, storage in customs warehouses, the provision of insurance services and the free purchase and sale. The deficit is expected to be partially filled by imports from third countries that traditionally supply the EU market, such as the USA, Brazil, Ukraine, Serbia or Argentina.
At the same time, the supply of Russian cereals to third countries, for example, Africa, will not be affected, the publication clarifies in its responses. “We are sure to maintain global food security,” explained Dombrovskis. According to the EC, in 2023, the Russian Federation imported 4.2 million tons of cereals and petroleum products worth 1.3 billion euros to EU countries.
Russia is accused of “destabilizing” the EU market
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had already announced the introduction of tariffs during a meeting of EU heads of state and government the day before. She accused Russia of “destabilizing” the EU market for relevant goods. “This will prevent Russian grain from destabilizing the EU market for these products, prevent Russia from using proceeds from exporting these products to the EU and ensure that illegal Russian exports of stolen Ukrainian grain do not affect the EU market,” he said. von der Leyen. .
Russian cereals are becoming a political problem, highlighted Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda before the European Council meeting. “Our farmers are unhappy with the entry of Russian cereals into the European market. If my information is correct, then Russia ranks third among the main suppliers of agricultural products to the European market,” he said.
This topic was also addressed by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who joined the summit via videoconference. “When Ukrainian grain is dumped on the roads and railways, Russian products and goods from Putin-controlled Belarus continue to be transported to Europe. This is unfair,” Zelensky said.
Source: DW
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