2023-04-16 18:16:11
Poland and Hungary decided on Saturday to ban imports of grain and other agricultural products from neighboring Ukraine in order to protect their own farmers, the authorities of the two countries announced, quoted by French media. Ukrainian grain destined for foreign countries has been transiting the European Union since the traditional Black Sea route was blocked following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, due to logistical problems, huge stockpiles of grain have accumulated in Poland, which has caused local prices to fall and caused protests by farmers, plus the resignation of the Polish Minister of Agriculture. “Today (Saturday, April 15), the Polish government decided to ban grain imports into Poland and dozens of other agri-food products,” said the leader of the ruling party in Poland (Law and Justice-PiS), Jaroslaw Kaczynski, in – a speech at a party rally, organized in the town of Lyse, in northern Poland. Otherwise, he added, “the current situation will lead to a serious crisis in Poland’s agricultural sector.” However, it should be noted that Jaroslaw Kaczynski firmly promised that Poland will continue to firmly support Ukraine once morest the invaders. Poland and Ukraine “remain, without the slightest change, friends and allies”, he concluded.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture expressed its regret following the decision of its Polish counterpart. “Polish farmers are facing a difficult situation, the Ukrainian ministry admitted, but we want to emphasize that Ukrainian farmers, in turn, have to face one of the worst situations because of the war.” The Ukrainian side proposed reaching an agreement in the next few days that would benefit both sides.
A similar measure taken by Hungary
The Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture stated in a message on Facebook that its country has banned the import of agricultural products from Ukraine. Like Poland, Hungary states that the bans are valid until June 30. In Poland, import bans cover cereals, sugar, meat, fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, oilseeds and other agricultural products. In Hungary, they target cereals, oilseeds and many other agricultural products, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s statement broadcast by the Hungarian news agency MTI. In its statement, Budapest emphasizes that “the Hungarian government is waiting for a permanent solution and the adoption of measures by the European Union”, emphasizing the need to defend the interests of the Hungarian agricultural community”.
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