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full screen EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in conversation with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during Friday’s continuing EU summit in Brussels. Photo: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/TT
One thousand kroner per ton – or the equivalent of half the value. It will be the EU’s new tariff on grain from Russia and Belarus.
The European Commission’s proposal comes after growing irritation that imports of grain and other crops from Russia are being allowed to continue, despite a host of other sanctions over Russia’s war on Ukraine.
– Our farmers are not happy to see Russian grain coming in. If my information is correct, Russia is the third largest supplier of agricultural products to the European market, said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on his way to the first summit day of the EU countries in Brussels yesterday.
Today’s proposal applies to grain, oilseeds and similar products from both Russia and Belarus. According to the Commission, the duties land mostly at 95 euros per ton, or 50 percent of the value, depending on the product.
At the same time, continued onward transport of Russian grain to other parts of the world is exempted, so as not to risk food security in many developing countries.
“We find the right balance between supporting our economy and our agriculture and at the same time we maintain our unwavering support for Ukraine,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen writes in a press release.
Agricultural issues, including continued trade facilitation for Ukraine, are one of the main topics during today’s continuing EU summit in Brussels.