European Parliament alter meat import deal with Ukraine

The European Parliament is making changes to the 2016 EU-Ukraine trade agreement to restrict the entry of cheap Ukrainian poultry meat products into the EU.

According to the European Parliament, a Ukrainian producer has exploited a loophole in the agreement to sell the excess of duty-free chicken breast, making these alterations necessary. During 2016 and 2018, bony chicken breast imports from Ukraine increased to 55,000t and were retailed more cheaply than similar EU products.

Import quotas are already in place in the EU to restrict farmers from excess imports. But it is legal to import chicken breast with a piece of wing bone to the EU without restrictions.

In the resolution, which was adopted by 444 votes to 128 with 74 abstentions, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) urged Ukraine to respect the full trade agreement with EU for good cooperation. MEPs said that food safety and health standards apply to all products imported into the EU.

Member of the European Parliament Enikő Győri said: “This modification ensures that EU producers will now be protected against unlimited imports of poultry meat.

“In the future, Ukraine should respect the spirit of faithful cooperation with the EU, while the EU should work to exclude loopholes. I call on Ukrainian exporters to abide by the provisions of the full trade agreement, including respecting sanitary and phytosanitary rules.”

Under the new poultry regulations, boneless and bony chicken breasts will come under a single tariff line and Ukrainian suppliers will have to pay more to export their products to the EU without tariffs.

These changes will become effective after securing approval from the European Council and the Ukrainian government.