EU plans to restrict imports of Ukrainian agricultural products from June

The European Union (EU) expects to reduce imports of agricultural products from Ukraine as it reviews emergency support measures for Kyiv, which opened the bloc's market to Ukrainian products, the European Commission (EC) commissioner responsible for agriculture said on Friday.

Christophe Hansen told AFP news agency that Brussels was seeking to „find a new deal“ before the measures that have angered European farmers expire in June.

„Discussions will have to be quick. The European Union is ready to negotiate and this should happen in the coming weeks," he said in an interview with AFP.

„Import quotas will not remain the same as during this temporary liberalisation. So, in fact, there will be fewer imports“, – he noted.

After the Russian invasion in 2022, the EU suspended customs duties on Ukrainian products, showing its support for the country at a time when the war severely limited Kyiv's ability to export its products through the usual sea routes.

But European farmers have begun to stage protests, angry at the influx of cheaper goods produced by less regulated Ukrainian farmers.

In response, the EU last year imposed restrictions on a number of products, including sugar, poultry, eggs and maize.

„We've seen that this has caused problems, particularly in some member states“, – Mr Hansen said of the temporary measures, adding that it is „clear“ that EU countries are not in favour of extending them.

If the duty-free regime is not extended in June, trade between the EU and Ukraine will return to the previous agreement.

„Ideally, we would like to have a longer-term agreement with Ukraine, including harmonisation of production standards“, – noted Mr Hansen.