On Thursday, May 22, members of the European Parliament in Brussels approved the European Commission's proposal to increase duties on a number of agricultural goods from Russia and Belarus by 50%, as well as to impose duties on fertilizers, Deutsche Welle writes.
According to the publication, we are talking about other products that have not yet been subject to any customs duties of the European Union – sugar, vinegar, flour and livestock feed. Thus, as soon as the new law comes into force, all agricultural imports from Russia will be subject to EU duties.
The MEPs also supported the introduction of 6.5% duties on fertilizers from Russia and Belarus, plus additional charges of 40-45 euros per ton during 2025-2026. By 2028, these duties will rise to 430 euros per ton.
It is noted that the bill was adopted in the first reading. He was supported by 411 MEPs, 100 voted against, and 78 abstained. The European Parliament approved the proposal made by the European Commission at the end of January. Now the EU Council must vote for it.
The publication added that the innovation does not affect Russian exports of agricultural products and fertilizers to third countries, which, as explained in the European Commission, "complies with the EU's obligations to ensure food security around the world." This means that the purchase and sale of Russian agricultural products remains unchanged, as well as their storage in EU customs warehouses, transportation on its ships, and provision of insurance and financing services.
