MEPs Approve Tariffs on Russian and Belarusian Agricultural Goods

The International Trade Committee of the European Parliament has supported a proposal to impose a 50% increase in tariffs on specific agricultural products from Russia and Belarus. This decision aims to reduce the EU’s reliance on these countries and diversify fertiliser production within the EU. The approved measure includes a gradual tariff increase on agricultural goods not previously subject to customs duties, with fertilisers also facing a tariff hike.

The new tariffs target products such as sugars, vinegar, flour, and animal feed from Russia and Belarus. The move is intended to lessen EU dependency on these nations and prevent them from using the EU market to finance conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine. By reducing imports of these goods, the EU hopes to stimulate its own fertiliser production sector, which has been adversely affected by cheap imports from Russia.

The proposal, endorsed by the International Trade Committee, will now progress to a vote in the European Parliament’s upcoming plenary session in Brussels on May 22. The regulation also mandates the Commission to monitor and address any price increases that could negatively impact the internal market and EU agriculture sector.

Inese Vaidere, the rapporteur for Russia, emphasized the importance of gradually increasing customs duties to curb Russia’s exploitation of the EU market for funding military activities. The EU’s decision to impose tariffs on fertilisers and agricultural products from Russia and Belarus reflects concerns over economic dependence, potential threats to food security, and vulnerability to coercive measures.