The countries of the European Union agreed on temporary restrictions on the import of some Ukrainian food products, which, according to some member states, has destabilized the agricultural market, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Negotiations dragged on for weeks amid farmers' protests against cheap imports from Ukraine. In Poland, the border with the former Soviet republic was blocked and Ukrainian grain was dumped on railway tracks, Reuters notes.
DPA states that the agreement specifically covers "poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, cereals, corn and honey". Only limited quantities of these products will be able to be imported duty-free into the EU.
The agreement was negotiated by representatives of the European Parliament and the Belgian rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. It must be officially approved by the EP and the member states.
If it does, the agreed restrictions will take effect on June 6 for a period of one year.
How severely the restrictions will affect the Ukrainian economy will depend on whether the country attacked by Russia will be able to find new markets for its agricultural production, DPA notes.