Mechanism for Ukrainian grain imports
The Romanian Government adopts the mechanism for Ukrainian grain imports. Im MI with more, in this report by Corina Cristea
Corina Cristea, 13.10.2023, 01:50
More than a month ago, the Romanian authorities announced that they would continue to allow the transit of Ukrainian grains, but that they were waiting for a plan from Kyiv regarding exports. The announcement followed the decision of the European Commission not to extend the order stopping the import of cheap Ukrainian grain – a ban imposed after the sea routes through which Ukraine exported its products became impassable, and large quantities of grain reached Europe, affecting agricultural producers here.
At the time, Brussels’ decision triggered protests by farmers, including in Romania, and led Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to decide, unilaterally, that they would continue to ban these imports. Now, the Romanian Government has approved the mechanism agreed with the Kyiv authorities to protect the farmers affected by the large volume of cheap grain from Ukraine reaching the Romanian market.
Grain imports will be allowed only on the basis of a marketing agreement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and only for farmers and processors who can prove with documents that they need these quantities to replenish stocks, said the relevant minister, Florin Barbu. This mechanism is simple. Romanian farmers and processors who wish to replenish stocks shall submit the documents certifying the need for import. The committee responsible for analyzing such request verifies the documents and proposes whether or not to issue the agreement in the market. The National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) issues the certificate of conformity for the product to be imported, based on an analysis of the product sample provided to the importer. Then, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issues for the farmer or processor the agreement to place on the market the quantities they need. Before entering processing or feeding, the goods are rechecked by ANSVSA to certify compliance with quality. I cannot allow products affected by diseases, pests or which are not 100% safe for our consumption to enter the Romanian market. The marketing agreement expires when the quantity requested for import is reached. The mechanism is created both with our farmers and with the authorities of Ukraine, Florin Barbu explained.
The minister also mentioned that, next week, he will have a meeting with his counterpart from the Republic of Moldova, with whom he will analyze the stocks, the quantities of grain that the farmers there have at their disposal, and together they will agree on a new practical licensing mechanism for the grains coming from the neighboring country. (MI)
