News In Brief:
– Czechia leads EU push to ban Russian and Belarusian grain imports, citing solidarity against aggression and support for local farmers.
– The oroposal reflects concerns over surplus grain from Ukraine and Russia, with EU leaders discussing measures to mitigate price drops and improve agricultural security.
Czechia is moving to block Russian and Belarusian grain from entering the EU, citing solidarity against aggression and advocating for the support of local farmers.
Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný announced the proposal ahead of this week’s European Council summit, where agricultural concerns will dominate discussions.
Agricultural security concerns
Výborný emphasised the moral imperative of rejecting imports from aggressor nations, stating, “Russian or Belarusian commodities have no place in Europe.” He plans to rally support within the EU for placing cereals and oilseeds from these countries on the sanctions list.
The proposal comes amidst concerns over the surplus of grain from Ukraine and Russia, coupled with a drop in prices, which poses challenges to European farmers. However, Výborný remains optimistic, assuring that the Czech Republic boasts surplus harvests for export, mitigating the risk of food price hikes.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the matter with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, highlighting the urgent need for action. Polish Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski echoed Výborný’s sentiments, emphasising the destabilising potential of Russia’s extensive wheat exports.
Latvia has already taken unilateral action, imposing a trade ban on Russian agricultural imports, with Poland considering similar measures. The proposal has garnered support from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), reflecting cross-party consensus on the need to safeguard European agricultural interests.
