The Council of the EU has announced that it is introducing higher tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus. The announcement notes that the new tariffs will "effectively stop" this import, writes BTA.
These measures will prevent destabilization of the EU grain market, stop Russian exports of misappropriated grain produced in Ukraine and prevent Russia from using export earnings to finance the war against Ukraine, the statement said. Until now, grain imports from Russia and Belarus to the EU were subject to customs duties at very low rates, or were not taxed, explained the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
It is specified that the new duties affect direct or indirect exports from Russia and Belarus, but will not apply to transit through the EU from both countries to other countries. The changes will take effect from July 1.
According to data from the Council of the EU, grain imports from Russia have increased significantly since the Russian attack on Ukraine two years ago. Russia remains a relatively small supplier of grain to the EU market, but is a leading global producer and exporter. Russia may divert significant amounts of grain to the EU to flood the market. There is evidence that Russia is illegally misappropriating large amounts of grain in the occupied parts of Ukraine and exporting it as "its own," the EU Council said. Today's decision was taken on a proposal of the European Commission presented in March.