EU agri groups: Past lessons must inform new Ukraine agreement
Agri-food producers and manufactures are urging the European Commission to reflect on the lessons of the past three years when shaping the next phase of the trade relationship with Ukraine.
The call comes one month before the expiration of the current so-called Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM).
The ATMs, which allow for the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the European Union, have been in place since June 2022.
The commission said that the measures help alleviate the situation faced by Ukrainian producers and exporters as a result of Russia's 'unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression'.
The current measures, which will expire on June 5, include a 'reinforced safeguard mechanism' allowing for quick remedial action in case of significant disruptions to the EU market or the markets of one or more nember states.
In addition, an emergency brake applies to eggs, poultry, sugar, oats, maize, groats, and honey, which can be automatically triggered if import volumes reach the average yearly imports recorded between July 2021 and December 2023.
Ukraine
Eight European agricultural groups representing affected sectors – including Copa Cogeca, the umbrella groups of EU farm organisations and agricultural cooperatives – have now written to the EU Commission to outline their views on the measures.
'The goal should be to secure the economic viability of EU producers while paving the way for a successful and forward-looking partnership—one that fosters synergies and integration between two agricultural powerhouses.
'Since the onset of the war, the EU has recognised its critical role in supporting Ukraine in defending itself and, by extension, the rest of Europe. In these challenging times, continued support for Ukraine is essential.
'However, for that support to be sustainable—and for Ukraine's eventual integration into the EU, in whatever form it may take—it is equally important to ensure that European farmers and manufacturers are not left to shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden.
'Otherwise, we risk weakening the EU agricultural sector and inadvertently strengthening Russia's global position in the long run,' they said.
Trade
The groups added that 'the liberalisation of trade with Ukraine has had a significant negative impact on several vital EU agricultural and manufacturing sectors'.
'While Ukraine's access to the EU market was meant to support its economy, the reality is that many European producers, especially in sectors such as cereals, sugar, poultry, eggs, ethanol, and honey, have been put under severe pressure.
'These producers face falling prices due to market oversupply, declining market share, logistical constraints, and rising production costs driven by the war, consequently threatening their economic viability, while at the same time allowing Russia to capitalise on the gap left by Ukraine's absence in key markets across North Africa and Southeast Asia.
'The priority is more than ever to guarantee that the economic viability of EU producers is not threatened by unlimited imports, while supporting Ukraine regain access to its traditional markets.
'Otherwise, it would confine both the EU and Ukraine, two of the world's leading agri-food producers, to competing within the same market space, thereby undermining the long-term strategic interests of both partners ahead of the Ukraine accession to the EU,' they said.
The group appealed to the EU Commission for a revised association agreement establishing Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs), similar to those previous to the war.
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