COMMISSION ANNOUNCES TARIFF INCREASE ON RUSSIAN AND BELARUS GRAIN IMPORTS
On 22nd March the European Commission announced plans to increase tariffs on cereal, oilseed, and grain product imports from Russia and Belarus, including wheat and sunflower meal, to prevent EU market destabilization and tackle the illegal export of Ukrainian grain mislabelled as Russian. Aimed at curtailing Russia's use of food exports as a geopolitical tool and stopping revenue flows from these exports that support Russia's aggression against Ukraine, these tariffs will not impact the transit of exports to third countries.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that this measure aims to protect EU markets and farmers while supporting global food security and showing unwavering support for Ukraine. The proposal also extends to Belarus due to its alliance with Russia, ensuring a comprehensive approach to preventing tariff circumvention. The initiative reaffirms the EU's commitment to global food security and support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict, pending approval by the Council of the European Union.
Source: European Commission