Brussels, 7 July 2022
See question(s) : E-001868/2022
EN
E-001868/2022
Answer given by Mr Wojciechowski
on behalf of the European Commission
(7.7.2022)
The Commission is well aware of the challenges facing Ukrainian agri-food operators due to lack of access to its Black Sea ports in exporting its wheat to Europe and third countries. The Commission is committed to help Ukraine to tackle this issue in close coordination with the Ukrainian counterparts, the EU Member States’ authorities, concerned third countries and relevant private stakeholders. It is essential that Ukraine remains fully integrated in global supply chains and agricultural markets. Bringing more agricultural products on the world markets is crucial to address mounting global food insecurity resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its devastating consequences.
In order to facilitate the exports of Ukrainian agricultural products via alternative routes, the Commission has adopted on 12 May 2022 a communication on solidarity lanes1 proposing 20 concrete actions to support the reorientation of Ukrainian exports through EU Member States.
The EU is further supporting United Nation efforts to open a maritime corridor for Ukraine’s (and Russia’s) grain exports through the Black Sea. In addition, to further encourage Ukrainian exports and based on the Commission proposal, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2022/8702 on temporary trade liberalisation measures supplementing trade concessions applicable to Ukrainian products under the Association Agreement. This Regulation offers Ukrainian goods a one year duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market and has entered into force on 4 June 2022.
Moreover, the food security implications of blocked Ukrainian exports and the global food security challenges were discussed at the EU and Middle East and North Africa Summit on 17 June 2022.
Source – EU Parliament: Answer to a written question – Blockade of grain exports from Ukraine: Danger of global food crisis. Commission must act immediately. – E-001868/2022(ASW)
Source : © European Union, 2022 – EP