Latest news with #CopaCogeca
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU quotas for Ukraine 'disproportionate', agricultural lobby groups argue
The updated trade deal between EU and Ukraine has drawn criticism from a group of industry associations. The statement yesterday (8 July), a group of agricultural associations including farm lobby group Copa-Cogeca, acknowledged the revised agreement's aim to bring "long-term certainty and stability to our trade relations, which is vital for producers on both sides". However, they added: "The scale of the concession is disproportionate for some of these sensitive agricultural sectors, and leave producers exposed and unsupported, at a time when these sectors are already under pressure from previous and upcoming cumulative trade liberalisation." The EU and Ukraine reached an agreement in principle on the new trade deal on 30 June. Following disruptions to Black Sea shipping routes in June 2022 due to ongoing conflicts, the EU temporarily lifted duties and quotas on certain Ukrainian agricultural products. These measures saw some resistance from EU member states neighbouring Ukraine, who were concerned about the potential negative effects of lower-priced imports on their farming sectors. By 2024, the EU had implemented restrictions on the import of Ukrainian grains. Maroš Šefčovič, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, described the deal as setting out a 'long-term, predictable and reciprocal framework, benefiting exporters, businesses and farmers on both sides'. The EU emphasised that the agreement 'fully considers the sensitivities of certain EU agricultural sectors and stakeholders'. According to the agricultural trade bodies, the revised agreement includes increases in tariff-rate quotas for products such as sugar (+498%), honey (+583%), poultry (+30%), eggs (+300%), maize (+54%) and ethyl alcohol (+25%). The joint statement argued that 'although we recognise efforts to strike a balance in extending further concessions to Ukraine, serious concerns remain, particularly concerning the treatment of sensitive sectors'. It highlighted that the increased quotas pose 'significant challenges' for affected sectors, leaving producers 'exposed and unsupported' amid existing pressures from trade liberalisation. The group raised also concerns about full liberalisations, stating they present 'serious concerns — both immediate', as seen in the mushroom sector, and 'longer-term', particularly for dairy products. Additionally, the lobby group called for greater transparency on how "conditionality, particularly regarding production standards", will be enforced. They outlined that while Ukraine's legislative alignment with EU rules is a 'positive step, especially in the context of the accession process, enforcement under wartime conditions presents serious limitations'. The group added, 'Transposing legislation is one thing; ensuring effective implementation and compliance on the ground is quite another.' The statement, also written on behalf of bodies such as the European Confederation of Maize Production CEPM, the Association of Poultry Processors AVEC and European Industrial and Beverage Ethanol Association iEthanol, said the associations planned to conduct a "detailed analysis of the agreement's provisions" to further evaluate its implications. They also expressed commitment to ongoing dialogue with the European Commission to ensure problems are dealt with 'in a fair, transparent, and workable manner'. "EU quotas for Ukraine 'disproportionate', agricultural lobby groups argue" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU outlines new deal on food trade with Ukraine
The EU and Ukraine have reached an agreement in principle on a new trade deal that would replace temporary arrangements put in place by Russia's invasion. In June 2022, as hostilities hit regular shipping routes from the Black Sea, the EU temporarily suspended duties and quotas on certain agri goods from Ukraine. However, the measures faced some opposition in EU member states close to Ukraine that feared the impact on their farming sectors of imports cheaper products. By 2024, the EU had agreed to limit the import of grains from Ukraine. According to Maroš Šefčovič, the EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, the new deal, announced yesterday (30 June), 'sets out a long-term, predictable and reciprocal framework, benefiting exporters, businesses and farmers on both sides'. The EU said the deal "fully considers the sensitivities of certain EU agricultural sectors and stakeholders" and would lead to "only modest increases" in market access for goods including wheat, maize, sugar and poultry. Under the terms of the agreement, Brussels will increase quotas for foodstuffs including butter and oats. Ukraine will open its market to EU poultry, pork and sugar. The EU said the improved access for Ukraine is conditioned on the "gradual alignment" of Ukraine to the bloc's standards on animal welfare, use of pesticides and veterinary medicines. EU farm lobby group Copa-Cogeca gave a cautious response to the new agreement. "While we support Ukraine's economic resilience and its European future during this difficult time, at this stage, considering the limited information provided, we can only hope that the final outcome of the agreement announced today fully considers and respects the sensitivities of EU farmers and manufacturers," a statement issued by Copa-Cogeca read. "In that sense, we urge the European Commission to make all details of this agreement available as soon as possible to the public." The statement, which was also issued on behalf of poultry, sugar and maize industry associations in the EU, added: "While we look positively on some aspects presented today concerning the alignment of standards and safeguard mechanisms, including also the impact on member state level, we remain concerned on the outcome on the protection of sensitive sectors and the potential exclusion of some productions, such as barley or ethanol, from such mechanisms." "EU outlines new deal on food trade with Ukraine" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Agriland
27-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Tariffs on Russian fertiliser greenlit after MEPs reject amendments
The European Parliament has given the green light for the EU to introduce tariffs on fertiliser from Russia and its ally Belarus, rejecting several amendments and adding to concern for farm organisations. A vote in a full, or plenary, session of the parliament saw MEPs overwhelmingly back the proposal from the European Commission to introduce fertiliser tariffs on the two countries. The proposal was made in response to the war in Ukraine, in which Belarus has aided Russia. Russia and Belarus are a major source of fertilisers for the EU agricultural sector. The proposal has long concerned EU farm organisations, who, despite defending the rationale for the tariffs as part of the EU's support for Ukraine, are concerned that it will make fertiliser more expensive for farmers in the bloc. The commission's proposed tariffs are now set to come into effect on July 1, it is understood. Copa Cogeca, the group representing EU farming organisations and agricultural co-operatives, said: 'Farming communities understand and support the overall objective pursued by the EU institutions. 'However, the complete lack of consideration for alternative sourcing, the absence of an impact assessment, and the lack of clarity on market implications, remain deeply problematic,' Copa added. 'While recognising broader foreign policy goals, we must emphasise the serious economic and operational consequences this proposal represents for the EU agricultural sector,' the group said in a statement. 'Despite the commission's promises before the vote regarding market monitoring, fertilisers – being a major cost for the entire profession – remain a significant concern and raise serious doubts about the competitiveness and future of European farming. 'Given these stakes, it is difficult to understand why the proposal was not accompanied by at least an impact assessment and a clear diversification strategy. If the EU is determined to reduce dependency on Russian and Belarusian fertilisers, it must present a credible and forward-looking alternative,' Copa said. The farm group said its position on the tariffs remains unchanged and, that the underlying issues will likely resurface. Copa is calling on the commission to adopt an approach that ensures the availability of fertiliser to EU farmers, and to allow derogations to the nitrates directive to allow increased use of livestock manure on grassland and other crops. The group is also urging the commission to remove duties and tariffs on fertilisers from countries other than Russia and Belarus in order to limit the impact of the new tariffs. 'Given that the fertiliser market remains relatively opaque and particularly fragile, Copa Cogeca remains watchful on these issues and urges European authorities—especially the commission—to maintain extremely careful monitoring. We cannot afford to further undermine the economic viability of farms or the food security of millions across the EU,' Copa said.
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
EU ready to tax Russian fertilisers as early as July
A farmers' group said using Russian fertilisers was the most competitive in terms of price, due to well-established logistics for supplying the EU. (Shippingwatch pic) BRUSSELS : EU lawmakers are set to greenlight tariffs on fertiliser imports from Russia today, despite European farmers' fears the move risks sending global prices soaring. Over a quarter of the 27-nation bloc's imports of nitrogen-based fertilisers come from Russia, with more entering from Moscow's ally Belarus, which the European Commission now seeks to bring to an end. Seeking to allay farmers' worries, Brussels says it will impose the duties from July and gradually increase them up to 2028 until they reach a level that would fully cut off the flow. Three years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU must stop fuelling 'the Russian war machine' and 'limit the dependency of Europe's farmers to Russian fertilisers', said lawmaker Inese Vaidere, spearheading the push in the EU parliament to impose the tariffs. Barring any last-minute drama, the European parliament is expected to approve the tariffs – although some right-wing lawmakers had been calling for a one-year suspension. The move is not welcomed by farmers. With rising production costs, pan-European farmers' group Copa-Cogeca explained, using Russian fertilisers was 'the most competitive in terms of price, due to well-established logistics' for supplying the EU. Brussels also intends for the levies to prevent the indirect export of Russian gas, which is used to produce fertilisers. The EU also wants to increase the bloc's own fertiliser production, and its moves are welcomed by the fertiliser industry in the bloc. 'Time is running out. We've been basically calling for action at the EU level for three years,' said Tiffanie Stephani of Norwegian fertiliser manufacturer Yara. However, she admitted the farmers' concerns were 'more than legitimate'. 'Punishing farmers' The EU has its work cut out to reassure farmers, who are already angry about administrative burdens, squeezed revenues and what they see as unfair competition from less-regulated overseas rivals. The tariff could be 'potentially devastating' for the agriculture sector, warned Copa-Cogeca, adding: 'European farmers must not become collateral damage'. A farmer in central Belgium, Amaury Poncelet, accused the EU of hurting the sector. After spreading nitrogen fertiliser on his field in Berloz – which he buys from a dealer in Ghent without knowing where it comes from – the grain and beet farmer said he 'doesn't understand the EU's idea of punishing its farmers'. 'We're losing money because of these European decisions that treat us like pawns who don't matter,' he said. The EU has suggested that duties on imports from North Africa, Central Asia, the US, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nigeria could be removed to alleviate pressure on prices, among other mitigating measures, should the duties lead to price shocks. Yara's Stephani pointed to estimates showing that, with tariffs on Russian imports, there would be an increase of fertiliser prices of five to 10 dollars per tonne 'because of different logistic costs'. Prices vary, but a tonne of nitrogen fertiliser is currently worth around US$400.
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Farmers protest in Dublin over EU plans to merge Cap budget into single fund
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and the group representing co-ops held a protest in Dublin on Tuesday, warning against a plan to to remove the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) budget in favour of a once-off funding approach to the EU budget. Farmers and farming representatives took part in the 'flash action' at the European Commission offices on Tuesday morning. The IFA and Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) protest coincides with a flash action organised by Copa Cogeca, the largest representative union of more than 22 million European farmers in Brussels. The protests come as the EU Commission has put forward proposals to amalgamate Cap into a single fund. READ MORE The move has sparked concern in the agricultural sector, which warns that their funding could be stripped back over the years as it will not be ring-fenced. 'The Cap budget has been in place since the Treaty of Rome, way back in the 1950s, and it was put in place to make sure that we would have food security across Europe, which was paramount and is still paramount today,' Alice Doyle, deputy president of the IFA, said. 'If that budget is subsumed into the main European budget, it can be pilfered at any time, to be used for any purpose. 'We want this ring-fenced, as it has always been from the very beginning, ring-fenced to support farmers across Europe and here in Ireland in particular.' She added: 'If it is not ring-fenced, the income of farmers would be reduced dramatically, because we all depend on that direct payment coming from Europe. That's part of our basic income scheme.' Ms Doyle also raised concern about the knock-on impact for rural Ireland because farmers are based there and 'every penny they earn is spent in rural Ireland'. Edward Carr, a diary farmer from Tipperary, president of the ICOS and chairman of Arrabawn Co-operative, said the Cap budget is being targeted. 'The proposed changes are very concerning for the future of farmers within our country,' Mr Carr said. 'It's concerning because the Cap was brought in few years ago for us as a protection that we produce cheap food. 'It has to be taken into consideration that we are probably one of the best countries on the globe to produce sustainable food in a sustainable manner, while protecting the environment. 'I think it's just come to the stage where farmers have to stand up for themselves and protect themselves. The future of this cheap, sustainable food being produced has to be protected. It's time for Europe to pay more heed to this.' – PA
