EU extends Ukraine agricultural bans until 15 September

The EU has published the implementing regulation legalising, until 15 September, restrictions on four agricultural products from Ukraine being sold in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

The regulation excludes seeds for sowing and covers Ukrainian common wheat, maize, rape or colza seeds, as well as sunflower seeds. The EU allows the release for free circulation or placing under customs warehousing, free zone or inward processing procedures for the four products only in EU member states other than Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania or Slovakia.

The European Commission said the specific restrictions will be "phased out" by 15 September, as they constitute "exceptional and temporary" preventive measures. There was a reduction from 17 to 6 tariff lines for the four products covered, officials said. The phase out will allow for "significant improvements" to solidarity lanes so as to enable Ukrainian grain to leave the country, according to the commission.

"The European Commission will not hesitate to act in case national trade bans prevent Ukrainian agricultural goods from reaching countries where they are needed," said EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.

EU agriculture commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski had previously proposed prolonging temporary restrictions until the end of the year or at least the end of October.

Despite the measures expiring on 5 June, the commission continued to say discussions were still continuing and officials would "probably" communicate "later" with an entry into force on 6 June.

By Dafydd ab Iago