Poland wants to extend ban on imports of Ukrainian grain
Poland wants to extend the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain into the country.
This was announced by Minister of Development and Technology Waldemar Buda on Polskie Radio 24.
According to him, Polish farmers should be the priority.
– “We cannot allow Ukrainian grain to enter Poland immediately after the harvest. Polish farmers are the priority. They are the ones who should sell Polish grain and get a reasonable price for it.
If there is no decision from the European Commission to extend the export embargo on Ukrainian grain, the decision of the Polish side will follow,” the Minister said.
As a reminder, the EU ban on grain imports from Ukraine to five countries has been in place since 2 May: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.
According to the EU document, four types of grain (wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower) can be supplied to other EU countries, and they can transit through five border countries. The current EU ban expires on 15 September. Negotiations are ongoing in the EU to extend the embargo.
However, Waldemar Buda said that the European Commission is considering lifting the export restrictions.
– “We are talking about exports to five countries, not transit. If someone wants to pass through Poland, load grain on ships and export it, there are no problems and there will be no problems. We will negotiate with the EC to the very end,” the minister said.
He also said that if the European Commission does not decide to extend the export embargo, the decision will be made by Poland. Waldemar Buda said he would issue a decree blocking imports to Poland.
A draft resolution is already being prepared. The government will invoke the principle of food security, the Minister of Development and Technology explained.
