Win-win solutions for farmers in the EU and for Ukraine

Renew Europe fully supported the renewal of the temporary suspension of duties on all Ukrainian exports to the EU to support Ukraine’s economy. At the same time, we want solutions to ensure that grain and agricultural imports from Ukraine do not distort the EU market and penalise farmers.

Renew Europe believes it is important that farmers, who are victims of these disturbances, are compensated by the EU, but a more sustainable European solution is needed. Unilateral national measures will not work in our European single market. This is why Renew has outlined a clear proposal to solve this issue by differentiating between Ukrainian products that will remain in the EU market and those that are intended for transit to third countries. Maintaining exports from Ukraine, despite Russia’s blockade of its ports, is vital to ensure global food security.

Dacian Cioloş (REPER, Romania), Renew Europe MEP, chair of Renew Europe's food security working group and former European Commissioner for Agriculture, said:

“The difficulties farmers in the Member States bordering Ukraine are confronted with are not a regional but a European problem. The EU must continue its unwavering support to Ukraine, which is fighting to defend our values, but at the same time we have to protect our farmers. We ask the European Commission to put in place medium and long-term solutions, in order to ensure that the solidarity lanes are fully operational after the 5th of June. This is the only way to avoid being blackmailed by Russia and, at the same time, to avoid that the problems faced by European farmers are used by populists and extremists to undermine the EU's effort to help Ukraine.”

Urmas Paet (Eesti Reformierakond, Estonia), Renew Europe MEP and shadow rapporteur on the temporary suspension of duties on all Ukrainian exports to the EU in the committee on International trade (INTA) declared:

“Russia's aggression in Ukraine unfortunately continues and thus we must remain committed to helping Ukraine every way we can. By renewing the Autonomous Trade Measures for another year, we are supporting Ukraine's economy and its producers during this unprecedented time”.