Minister Výborný: EU must find a fair solution on Ukrainian agricultural imports

Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný (Christian Democrats)  has called on the European Commission to propose a fair approach to Ukrainian agricultural imports, taking into account the country’s struggle against Russian aggression. Speaking in Brussels, he emphasized that any decision must respect Ukraine’s difficult position. A one-year EU exemption on tariffs for Ukrainian agricultural products is set to expire in early June. The Financial Times reports that the EU is considering sharply increasing tariffs, a move Ukraine warns could harm its economy and erode trust in the EU. While excessive imports of Ukrainian grain once raised concerns, Výborný said this is no longer an issue, as exports have shifted back to pre-war destinations like Africa and the Middle East. “What we see as problematic now are imports of sugar and poultry meat,” he added, urging further negotiations within the EU.