EAA appeals to Copa-Cogeca to ban imports of vegetables from Russia and Belarus into EU countries
„At the meeting, I raised the issue of Russian imports of vegetables into the EU. I informed the House that Russia intends to double its exports of vegetables to the EU in 2024, that we do not need exports from a terrorist state, and that I proposed a ban or the introduction of trade duties. The same status should be applied to Belarus, as it is under Russian influence. It is good to see that the initiative of the EAA has been supported by the Danes, the Spanish, the Poles, the Romanians, and the Acting Secretary-General of Copa-Cogeca, Patric Pgani, has informed us that he will be preparing an analysis and will evaluate the data. So we look forward to seeing the results of the exercise," Baravykas said after the meeting.
EU-Russia relations have been strained since 2014 due to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, its support for separatist groups in eastern Ukraine, destabilising policies in neighbouring countries, disinformation and cyber campaigns, and human rights abuses inside the country. 24 February 2022 Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine halted remaining political, cultural and scientific cooperation, and in March, Russia launched a major invasion of Ukraine. With the EU adopting A Strategic compass for security and defence in March 2014, recognising that Russia poses a long-term and immediate threat to Europe's security, and condemning Russia's weaponisation of food during the war on Ukraine, which has led to a global food-security crisis, it is clear that these measures are not enough, as Russia's entry into the EU has become a major threat to Europe's security;The EU šalis, including Russia and its ally – Belarus, are importing vegetables and other agri-food products in huge quantities, which are balancing the established market in the EU šalis, and dumping prices, which are causing losses for EU šalis producers, and threatening bankruptcy for EU šalis agricultural and food producers.
In the public domain, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia (March 2024) openly boasted that the number of EU Member States that will double in 2024, to 118,000. This has resulted in huge profits for the producers, traders and budgets of the aggressor country, and economic damage to EU producers and the destruction of the food and agricultural sector. This situation is evidence of hybrid warfare and undermines the EU's strength and resilience.
EastFruit international information and analytical platform for the fruit and vegetable business in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus announces that the year 2024 will be a particularly challenging year for EU špublic producers – Market prices for potatoes, onions, cucumbers and tomatoes are significantly lower than in previous periods, due to a sharp increase in imports of špublic vegetables from šRussia.
