Poland to demand from EU return duties on part of agricultural produce from Ukraine
Poland will seek from the European Union the return of customs duties on corn and some other agricultural products exported from Ukraine – as noted by Polish Deputy Agriculture Minister Janusz Kowalski, speaking in the Parliament, RIA Novosti reports
He also explained that Poland will raise this issue on January 30th during the EU Agricultural Ministerial meeting.
Kowalski informed parliamentarians that from January to October 2022, the import of corn from Ukraine amounted to 1.4 million tonnes. At the same time, Polish corn exports totalled 3 million tonnes, which is twice as much as during the same period in 2021.
“This suggests that most of the corn from Ukraine will be exported in the future, but there is a problem. I will persuade the entire Polish government to protect the interests of Polish farmers and demand from the EU, e.g., financing of warehouse infrastructure or compensation to farmers who suffer losses due to geopolitical reasons,” assured the deputy minister.
Kowalski underlined that Poland cannot independently introduce duties, and a protective instrument such as a pledge cannot be introduced either, as this is not provided for by the EU legislation.
The Deputy Agriculture Minister also reminded that trade in agricultural products with Ukraine was liberalised until June 5th, 2023, based on the regulations of the European Parliament and the EU Council. The resolution introduces zero customs rates on certain goods from Ukraine, suspends the use of the input price system, as well as the effect of all tariff quotas, and provides that even after its expiration, anti-dumping duties will not be levied on imports from Ukraine.
“As the Agriculture Ministry, we will strive to exclude part of the production from liberalisation, to protect Polish poultry farming, Polish apples and the juice processing industry,” added Kowalski.
