The agreement on extending trade liberalization with Ukraine, approved by the European Union institutions, does not take into account the key concerns of European farmers.
This emerges from a statement by six European Union agricultural associations published on the COPA-COGECA website on March 20.
It is noted that the European Parliament's comments were not fully taken into account and resulted in a “weak compromise”.
“Small but important changes that would have provided an effective solution for European producers were not taken into account,” the document says.
Farmers praised the inclusion of oats, cereals and honey in the list of possible restricted goods, but stressed that the burden on EU farmers would not change without including 2021 in the calculation of the limits.
European farmers are also pushing for wheat to be added to the list of restrictions.
“Our organizations cannot support the agreement reached in the tripartite format and call on EU Member States and the European Council to seriously reconsider the signal they are sending to European farmers and producers, including a new compromise at tripartite level should be negotiated,” concluded the farmers.
The appeal was signed by: AVEC – Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Meat Traders in the EU; CEFS – European Association of Sugar Producers; CEPM – European Corn Producers Association; CIBE – International Association of European Beet Growers; COPA-COGECA; EUWEP – European Union of wholesalers of eggs, egg products, poultry and game.
Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)