The EU Permanent Representatives Committee at the level of ambassadors has agreed on a mandate for further negotiations with the European Parliament on the introduction of tariffs on agricultural products and fertilizers originating in Russia and Belarus in order to protect the EU market, reduce revenues in the Russian Federation and the Kremlin's ability to finance the continuation of the war against Ukraine.
Points of attention
- The EU is implementing tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus to safeguard the EU market and diminish the Kremlin's financial support for the war in Ukraine.
- These tariffs aim to reduce Russia's export revenues, limit its capability to fund the war against Ukraine, and enhance European industry development and self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector.
- The introduction of tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilizers will gradually decrease European countries' reliance on imports and stimulate the local fertilizer industry.
EU ambassadors agree on new tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus
The Council of the EU has adopted a position for negotiations with the European Parliament on regulatory rules for the application of tariffs on remaining agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as on certain nitrogen fertilizers. These tariffs are expected to reduce Russian export revenues and limit Russia's ability to finance an aggressive war against Ukraine, the report said.
As noted, earlier, in 2023, the EU had already introduced tariffs against certain types of agricultural products from Russia, in particular grains, but at that time these protective measures covered only 15 percent of Russian agricultural exports.
Once the new tariffs are introduced, all agricultural products originating from Russia will be subject to them.
This is a significant amount of money. For example, as of 2023, 25 percent of all fertilizer imports into the EU were from Russia — about 3.6 million tons, bringing in 1.28 billion euros for the Kremlin budget.
The new tariffs, agreed today by the EU Permanent Representatives Committee, will reduce European countries' dependence on agricultural imports from Russia and Belarus, stimulate the development of the European fertilizer industry, and ensure that Russia does not gain commercial advantages from continued exports to the EU.
At the same time, tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilizers will be introduced gradually, over three years, with simultaneous diversification of fertilizer supplies from third countries to ensure their availability for European farmers.
Once the European Parliament agrees to the proposed measures, the EU Council will be able to formally adopt the new regulatory rules by qualified majority.
