Latest news with #IneseVaidere
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
EU lawmakers eye faster Russian gas phase out, documents show
BRUSSELS, July 25 (Reuters) - The European Parliament is considering proposals to speed up the EU's phase out Russian gas by one year, to January 2027, documents seen by Reuters showed, as officials in Brussels prepare to negotiate the legally-binding ban. European Union countries and lawmakers are preparing to negotiate the EU's plan to ban imports of Russian gas - with the starting point a legal proposal the European Commission made last month to phase out all Russian gas imports by January 1, 2028. The Parliament's lead lawmakers on the Russian gas ban have each proposed that this deadline is moved forward to January 1, 2027, documents detailing their amendments to the Commission proposal showed. The proposals are by EU lawmakers Inese Vaidere from the centre-right European People's Party - the biggest lawmaker group in the Parliament - and Ville Niinisto from the Greens. Diplomats from EU countries said it was unlikely governments would agree to bring forward the Russian gas ban by a year - but that EU lawmakers could use this demand as leverage to secure other changes in the negotiations. For example, Vaidere has also proposed a requirement for governments to impose penalties on companies that violate the ban, potentially including by revoking licences for energy trading. Niinisto wants a full ban on Russian oil imports from January 1 2027, which the European Commission did not propose. The European Parliament will vote in the autumn to confirm its position for negotiations with EU countries on the ban. The final measures need approval from the Parliament and a qualified majority of EU countries - meaning that they cannot be blocked by EU members Hungary and Slovakia, which still import Russian gas via pipeline and have opposed the EU plans. The EU vowed to end decades-old energy relations with Europe's former top gas supplier after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Under the proposed ban, the EU would start phasing out Russian gas imports under new and short-term contracts earlier, from January 2026. About 19% of Europe's gas came from Russia last year, via the TurkStream pipeline and LNG shipments. This share is expected to fall to 13% in 2025, down from roughly 45% before 2022.
Euronews
7 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Will EU fertiliser tariffs hit Russia's coffers?
Russia supplies 25% of the EU's nitrogen fertilisers, worth €1.3 billion each year, but from 1 July these will be subject to tariffs ranging from 6.5% this year to levels close to 100% by 2028. The tariffs will apply to products from Russia and its neighbouring ally Belarus, which has facilitated military action against Ukraine. In addition, 50% tariffs will be imposed on agri-food products from both countries, such as meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. "There is a strong moral and strategic justification. Russia imposes a 23.5% export tax on fertilisers, which means that by buying these products, the EU is indirectly financing the war in Ukraine," said Euronews reporter Gerardo Fortuna, who's covered the topic. "There's also an environmental aspect, because the EU production of fertilisers has roughly half the carbon intensity of the Russian manufacturing of fertiliser. So, by importing this fertiliser from Russia, we also drive emissions," adds Fortuna. EU fertiliser producers are pleased with expectations of increased market share. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the sector has faced higher energy costs and has been unable to compete with cheaper Russian exports, leading to the closure of production facilities. "Our producers have already lost a lot because of Russia. There is at least three million tons of idle capacity, compared to the eight million tons that the EU exported to other countries," said Latvian MEP Inese Vaidere, from the centre-right EPP group, who steered the proposal through the Parliament. Farmers fear being squeezed Farmers fear having to spend more of their budget to purchase fertilisers as a result however. "There are some mitigation measures from the European Commission, but farmers don't consider them adequate to deal with the expected price increase," says Gerardo Fortuna. To reduce the risk of price spikes, the block could eliminate tariffs on other fertiliser suppliers to the EU, such as the US, Canada, Oman, Morocco and Algeria. "Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, around €500 billion has been spent to help farmers. The European Commission monitors monthly price fluctuations and will know what to do," said MEP Inese Vaidere. On the other hand, the bloc will not impose tariffs on Russian exports to third countries, as they are crucial for some developing countries, such as Vietnam and Bangladesh in Asia, and Kenya and Tanzania in Africa. Russia is the world's largest exporter of fertilisers, with its main markets being Brazil, India, the United States, China and Indonesia. Gas is an essential ingredient for fertiliser production, so the EU is indirectly trying to target this Russian asset as well. The EU justifies the measures on economic grounds, but also ethical imperatives, given the war in Ukraine. Watch the video here! Journalist: Isabel Marques da Silva Content production: Pilar Montero López Video production: Zacharia Vigneron Graphism: Loredana Dumitru Editorial coordination: Ana Lázaro Bosch and Jeremy Fleming-Jones
Euronews
22-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
MEP back steep tariff on Russian and Belarusian fertilisers
In a vote held on Thursday, MEPs endorsed measures that aim to reduce the EU's reliance on fertilisers and farm produce from Russia and its ally Belarus, while simultaneously cutting off financial support for Moscow's war in Ukraine. Set to take effect on 1 July, the new tariffs will target certain nitrogen-based fertilisers, increasing duties from 6.5% to levels approaching 100% over a three-year period, effectively halting most imports. Russia currently supplies 25% of the EU's nitrogen-based fertilisers, amounting to an estimated €1.3 billion annually. Additional duties will also be imposed on agri-food imports such as meat, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables from Russia and Belarus, representing about €380 million in annual trade. The initiative gained momentum following sustained pressure from several member states and fertiliser industry leaders, who have advocated for swift action to bolster the EU's strategic independence. Beyond economic considerations, the tariff hikes are also intended to address ethical concerns. Russia imposes a 23.5% export tax on key mineral fertilisers, revenue from which helps fund its military activities in Ukraine. 'We must stop financing Russia's war in Ukraine with our own financial resources. If the agriculture sector continues to pay for Russian fertilisers, that money directly supports the Russian budget,' said Latvian MEP Inese Vaidere, the Parliament's rapporteur on the file She warned of growing EU dependence on Russian fertilisers and the risks of sudden supply disruptions, which could jeopardise agricultural stability. The European fertiliser industry welcomed the Parliament's decision, describing it as a critical step toward reducing dependency and reinforcing Europe's economic security. 'We call on all EU institutions to act swiftly to finalise and enforce these tariffs,' said Leo Alders, president of FertilizersEurope. 'The sooner we implement these measures, the better we can protect our value chains, jobs, and food security.' As the EU pushes forward with its strategy to reduce strategic dependencies and exert economic pressure on Russia, the challenge remains to balance geopolitical objectives with the immediate concerns of its farming community. European farmers have expressed deep concern about the impact of the tariffs on agricultural competitiveness, input costs, and food security. Cédric Benoist, from the French farmers' union FNSEA, warned of 'inflation in fertiliser prices within the European Union,' which would further strain farmers operating in a globally competitive market. 'We're already feeling the consequences in terms of farm income,' he said. 'Costs are rising, but we can't pass that on to consumers.' Benoist noted that the price of nitrogen solution, a type of liquid fertiliser, has surged from €160 per tonne five years ago to €300 per tonne today, after peaking at €600-700 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also cautioned that uncertainty ahead of the July deadline is distorting the market: 'Fertiliser producers are withholding supply, waiting for the tariffs to kick in. That's driving prices even higher.' He also cautioned that uncertainty ahead of the July deadline is distorting the market: 'Fertiliser producers are withholding supply, waiting for the tariffs to kick in. That's driving prices even higher.' On Wednesday, the Swedish delegation from the Left group in the European Parliament filed a police report against EPP Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Alice Teodorescu Måwe, alleging physical assault. According to Marie Antman, head of the Swedish Left's parliamentary office, one of her staff members entered her office "in a state of shock" and displayed marks on their arm. Antman declined to elaborate on the nature of the alleged violence but described the incident as 'exceptional' and 'unacceptable'. 'A Swedish MEP had physically attacked my colleague. This is extremely upsetting,' Antman told Swedish news agency TT. 'It was a situation where my staff member called for help, prompting security guards to intervene and calm things down. We have also reported the incident to the President of the Parliament.' MEP Teodorescu Måwe, however, strongly denies the allegations and offers a conflicting account. According to the Swedish Christian Democrats' party secretary, it was Teodorescu Måwe who was subjected to harassment. A statement posted on social media alleges that 'Teodorescu Måwe was harassed by an aggressive political staffer in the European Parliament. On her way to a meeting, Alice was confronted with threatening accusations without provocation. The situation was extremely distressing for her.' According to her office, the staffer began filming and photographing Teodorescu Måwe. When she asked for an explanation, a confrontation followed. She then took out her phone to take a photo, prompting the staffer to allegedly attempt to seize her device. The situation escalated into a brief scuffle before security was called. On Wednesday, Teodorescu Måwe reportedly met with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and requested protection in the wake of the incident. Teodorescu Måwe, who is currently back in her home country Sweden, will also report the staffer to Belgian police upon her return, according to her office. An official spokesperson for the European Parliament confirmed that the incident is currently under internal investigation. 'The situation is being investigated as a matter of priority and the initial assessment confirms the MEP's version of events. There is a zero-tolerance policy for violence in the Parliament premises. The relevant services are mobilised. Assistance to the Member is also in place.' The incident is captured on surveillance cameras, according to the spokesperson. Euronews has contacted the office of Alice Teodorescu Måwe and the delegation of the Swedish left for comment.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU parliament backs tariffs on fertilizers from Russia, Belarus
The European Parliament approved on May 22 increased tariffs on fertilizers and certain agricultural goods from Russia and Belarus, seeking to reduce EU dependence on those imports. Tariffs on some nitrogen fertilizers will rise from 6.5% to around 100% over three years, a level that will effectively stop trade. An additional 50% duty will be applied to agricultural products from the two allied countries. The new tariffs target the remaining 15% of agricultural imports from Russia that were previously duty-free, worth 380 million euro ($429 million), Reuters reported. These include products such as meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. Revenue from the sale of Russian and Belarusian fertilizers is considered a direct contribution to Moscow's full-scale war against Ukraine, the statement read. "The regulation gradually increasing customs duties for products from Russia and Belarus will help to prevent Russia from using the EU market to finance its war machine," said Inese Vaidere, Latvian Member of the European Parliament. The tariff increase is expected to take effect on July 1. Previously, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that if the EU imposes steep tariffs on Russian nitrogen fertilizers, it would lead to higher costs and lower quality for the European Union. Imports of urea and nitrogen-based fertilizers from Russia to the EU were already high in 2023 and rose even more in 2024. The European Commission said that this shows the EU is economically dependent on Russia. If this continues, it could threaten the EU's food security and make the bloc vulnerable to pressure from Russia, especially through fertilizer supply, the statement read. Read also: 'We don't want this anymore' — Lavrov confirms Russia has no interest in Ukraine ceasefire We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Al Jazeera
22-05-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
EU backs tariffs on fertiliser imports from Russia, Belarus
The European Parliament has voted to impose tariffs on fertiliser and certain farm produce imports from Russia and its ally Belarus, despite European farmers' fears that the move could lead to higher prices. The European Parliament on Thursday voted 411 to 100 in support of the bill that will enact duties in July and gradually increase them to a point where they would make imports unviable in 2028. In 2023, more than 70 percent of EU fertiliser consumption was of nitrogen-based fertiliser, of which Russia accounted for 25 percent of EU imports worth about 1.3bn euros ($1.5bn). According to the bloc, the tariffs for certain fertilisers will increase over three years from 6.5 percent to an amount equivalent to about 100 percent, effectively halting trade by 2028. For farm produce, an additional 50 percent duty will apply. While Russia and Belarus were hit with prohibitive tariffs last year over the war in Ukraine, the new measures will apply to 15 percent of agriculture imports from Russia that were not previously hit, including meat, dairy produce, fruit and vegetables. EU lawmaker Inese Vaidere, spearheading the push for increased tariffs, said the bloc must stop fuelling 'the Russian war machine' and 'limit the dependency of Europe's farmers to Russian fertilisers'. Member states still must formally give the bill their final approval, having already supported the idea. Russia said on Thursday that the tariffs would cause fertiliser prices in the EU to rise. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that demand for Russian nitrogen fertilisers on other export routes remained high, adding that Russian fertilisers were of the highest quality. The pan-European farmers' group Copa-Cogeca told the AFP news agency that using Russian fertilisers was the 'most competitive in terms of price, due to well-established logistics'. The tariff could be 'potentially devastating' for the agriculture sector, the group warned, adding, 'European farmers must not become collateral damage'. A farmer in Belgium accused the EU of hurting its farmers. Amaury Poncelet told AFP that he 'doesn't understand the European Union'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 European Commission has argued the tariffs will help support domestic production and suggested duties on imports from other regions could be removed to alleviate price pressures, among other mitigating measures, in case of price shocks.
