The European Commission has adopted a proposal to impose tariffs on a number of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as on certain nitrogen-based fertilisers. This proposal was initiated by the Chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council (“UAC”), Andrii Dykun, and was included in the Declaration which was signed at the meeting of the parliamentary delegations of Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland in Warsaw in June 2024.

According to the Chairman of the UAC, the imposition of sanctions against Russia and Belarus will significantly weaken the aggressor country's impact on global food security and affect Russia's ability to wage an aggressive war against Ukraine.

“Russia continues to use food security as a political instrument and makes the European Union vulnerable to potential coercive actions by the Russian Federation. When the EU eventually imposes full sanctions on Russia's agricultural sector, starting with food and fertilizers and ending with a complete ban on Russian farmers' access to advanced technologies and equipment, this country will be on the verge of starvation, and Ukraine will have the opportunity to strengthen its position on the battlefield. This is my main standpoint at every international meeting, so the news about the support of the UAC proposal is the first important step towards a common victory over the enemy and a signal of the EU's readiness to face any challenges to speed up peace,” says Andrii Dykun.

According to the European Commission, the agricultural products affected by the new tariffs constitute 15% of agricultural imports from Russia in 2023 that had not yet been subject to increased tariffs. Once adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, all agricultural imports from Russia would be the subject of EU tariffs.

In this way, the EU will support the growth of domestic production and the fertilizer industry in the EU, which has suffered during the energy crisis. It will also allow for the diversification of supply from third countries. This will help ensure a steady fertiliser supply and, most importantly, ensure that fertilisers remain available for EU farmers at an affordable price.

The Ukrainian Agri Council expresses its gratitude to the European Commission for approving the proposal, which will contribute to strengthening the economies of Ukraine and the EU. The UAC will continue to actively engage in productive dialogues between the countries, providing expert support and directing joint efforts to bring peace and justice.