12
Mar
2024
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Need to impose sanctions on the import of Russian and Belarusian food and agricultural products to the EU and to ensure stability of EU agricultural production (debate)
Mr President, dear colleagues, Commissioner, I fully support imposing sanctions on Russian and Belarusian agricultural imports to the EU. It is incomprehensible that this has not been done yet, since the agricultural sector is very vocal about Ukrainian exports. This raises questions about the actual political intentions and reasons some Member States have for the Ukrainian export blockade. I find it deplorable that the Polish authorities are allowing Russian and Belarusian grain into the market, even doubling the numbers in 2023, but still allowing the illegal blocking of Ukrainian exports to the EU market. Russia’s disinformation campaign has misused the situation as well, trying to aggravate the problem with our farmers through lies and propaganda and decreasing our generosity in the trade liberalisation proposal with Ukraine. I urge the Parliament not to give in. The main culprit is laughing at us while we fight among ourselves.