EU rejects Ukraine grain bans by Poland and Hungary

The European Commission has rejected Ukraine’s grain import ban introduced by Poland and Hungary.

Both countries said the measures were necessary to protect their agricultural sectors from cheap imports.

The ban applies to cereals, dairy products, sugar, fruits, vegetables and meat and is in effect until the end of June.

The Committee said it was not up to individual Member States to determine trade policy.

The European Commission has said it will not tolerate a unilateral move, but has yet to reveal what action it will take against Poland and Hungary.

“In difficult times like these, it is important that all decisions are coordinated and coordinated within the EU,” its spokesperson said in a statement.

Most of Ukraine’s grain is exported via the Black Sea, but last year’s Russian invasion disrupted export routes and spilled large amounts of grain into central Europe.

An agreement with Russia, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, allows Ukraine to continue sea exports, but Ukraine accuses Russia of slowing the process down with overzealous inspections.

Poland and Hungary announced the move on Saturday. The decision comes after local farmers complained that the flood of cheap Ukrainian grain into the market had devalued them.

On Sunday, Poland’s Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Waldemar Buda, clarified that the ban applies not only to those staying in Poland, but also to goods in transit.

He called for consultations with Ukraine to come up with a plan to prevent exports from passing through Poland and ending up in the local market.

Ukraine says the move is against bilateral trade agreements.

“We have always been sympathetic to the situation in the agricultural sector in Poland and responded quickly to various challenges,” the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.

“At this point, unilateral decisive action will not accelerate a positive resolution of the situation,” it added.

Polish and Ukrainian ministers are scheduled to meet in Poland on Monday to discuss the issue.