Poland is ready to unilaterally impose a ban on imports of Ukrainian oilseeds and grain crops into the country after September 15, even if the EU refuses to extend the embargo on imports of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds. Polish government spokesman Piotr Müller told Polsat TV channel.
“We are standing next to the extension of such a ban [at the EU level], but if it does not happen, we have a ready solution – we will introduce such a ban at the national level,” he said.
On the previous day, the US publication Politico reported that last week representatives of 22 EU member states opposed the extension of the ban on imports of Ukrainian crops. France and Germany showed the most critical attitude towards this step.
At the same time, Polish Minister of Development and Technology Waldemar Buda said he had the authority to extend the embargo for the domestic market.
“I will not hesitate to use this tool this week, on Friday or Saturday, if there is no corresponding decision of the European Commission,” he emphasized.
Recall that Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia earlier asked the EC to extend the ban on imports of oilseeds and cereals from Ukraine until the end of the year. Now the import of sunflower seeds, rapeseed, wheat and corn of Ukrainian origin is restricted to these regions, but transit is allowed. The current measures are valid until September 15.