Romania Opposes To Further EU Suspension Of Grain Import Duties

Mariann Fischer Boel, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, last Thursday proposed the suspension of import duties for cereals from non-EU countries be maintained for the next marketing year – which will end on June 30, 2009 – due to “the continuing tight situation on the cereals markets and the resulting high price levels.”

Romania opposed the proposal, arguing it was too soon to adopt such a decision which will have a negative impact on the country’s market, said Daniel Velicu, adviser with the Ministry of Agriculture.

He said Romania imports grain mostly from countries outside the European Union, such as Russia, Ukraine and Moldova.

“Geographically, since we are located in the Black Sea area, we are the country most exposed to imports from third countries, such as Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan. We are the closest ones, the first ones to whom they (the third countries – e.n.) can export, transportation is cheap and the influx of significant quantities would put pressure on prices and would have a direct impact on farmers’ income. Any signal on our market, especially during harvest time, can put pressure on prices,” Velicu said.

He said France also opposed the EU proposal to maintain suspension of grain import duties.

“Six states abstained, while the rest cast favorable votes. Since the qualified majority was not met, the decision was up to the Commission and the regulation was adopted and will be published in the Official Gazette,” Velicu said.