The European Commission today approved emergency and temporary preventive measures for the imports of a limited number of products from Ukraine in the framework of safeguarding the autonomous trade measures regulation. These measures are necessary due to the exceptional circumstances of severe logistical bottlenecks in five Member States. The measures concern only four agricultural products – wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine. They aim to ease logistical bottlenecks related to these products in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The measures will come into effect on May 2 and last until June 5, 2023.

During this period, wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed from Ukraine can continue to be released into free circulation in all EU member states except Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Products can continue to circulate or be transported through these five Member States through a common customs transit procedure or go to a country or territory outside the EU.

At the same time, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia they have committed to lift their unilateral measures on wheat, maize, canola and sunflower and any other products originating from Ukraine.

As the Commission points out in its statement, the measures support the EU’s strong commitment to support Ukraine and maintain its ability to export its grains, which are critical for global food security and keeping food prices low. in the face of the enormous challenges posed by unprovoked Russian aggression.

These measures are part of the overall support package proposed by the Commission and will be complemented by financial support for farmers in the five Member States and further measures to facilitate the passage of Ukrainian grain exports through the solidarity lanes to other Member States and third countries.

The Commission is ready to reimpose precautionary measures after the expiry of the current autonomous trade measures regulation on 5 June 2023, should the emergency continue.

The Commission is ready to start an assessment of the Union market situation for other sensitive products under the fast-track safeguards procedure of the Commission’s proposal for the new Regulation on autonomous trade measures when this Regulation enters into force.