MEPs Approve New Tariffs on Russian and Belarusian Agricultural Goods

The International Trade Committee of the European Parliament has endorsed a proposal to impose a 50% increase in tariffs on specific agricultural products from Russia and Belarus. This decision aims to reduce the European Union’s dependence on these two countries. The new tariffs will apply to agricultural items not previously subject to customs duties, including sugars, vinegar, flour, and animal feed. Additionally, fertilisers from Russia and Belarus will face a gradual tariff hike to promote EU fertiliser production diversification.

Under the approved measures, fertilisers imported from Russia and Belarus will be subject to a 6.5% tariff increase, with additional duties ranging from €40 to €45 per tonne for the 2025-2026 period. By 2028, these duties are expected to reach €430 per tonne. The revenue generated from these tariffs is intended to diminish the financial support provided to Russia’s military actions, particularly in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.

The implementation of these regulations is anticipated to significantly reduce the importation of goods from Russia and Belarus into the EU, fostering the diversification of fertiliser production within the region. Furthermore, the European Commission is tasked with monitoring and addressing any price hikes that may negatively impact the internal market and the agriculture sector.

Addressing the proposal, Inese Vaidere, the standing rapporteur for Russia, emphasized the importance of gradually increasing customs duties to prevent the exploitation of the EU market for funding military endeavors. Vaidere highlighted the necessity of reducing critical product imports from Russia, especially in light of the ongoing conflict. The proposal is set to undergo a vote during the upcoming plenary session of the European Parliament on May 22 in Brussels.

The initiative to impose tariffs on fertilisers and certain agricultural products from Russia and Belarus comes as a response to the economic dependence on these countries, with a particular focus on enhancing EU food security and safeguarding against potential coercive actions by Russia. These measures seek to reinforce EU production capabilities while providing farmers with the necessary time to adapt to the changing trade environment.