The European Union (EU) is prepared to export nearly all of Ukraine’s agriculture goods through “solidarity lanes,” according to Janusz Wojciechowski, the EU’s agriculture commissioner. This comes after Russia recently withdrew from a U.N.-backed Black Sea grain deal. Solidarity lanes refer to the rail and road transport connections that pass through EU member states bordering Ukraine.
Wojciechowski expressed concerns over Russia’s use of food as a weapon, comparing the situation to the beginning of a war. He stated, “We are ready to export almost everything. This is about four million tonnes per month of oilseeds and grains, which we achieved in November last year.”
Currently, 60% of Ukraine’s exports are transported through solidarity lanes, while the remaining 40% are shipped via the Black Sea under the U.N. backed grain deal. The collapse of the deal will significantly impact African countries that rely on sea deliveries for grain.
The EU is now considering various initiatives proposed by member states to develop a joint plan that covers the additional transport costs for Ukrainian agricultural goods. However, Wojciechowski noted that there is no immediate estimate for the funding required for transportation.
Enhancing grain transit through the EU is a sensitive matter, especially for Poland and other EU countries sharing borders with Ukraine. These countries’ local farmers have experienced increased pressure due to the surge in Ukrainian imports.
Reporting by Julia Payne and Geert De Clercq; Editing by Susan Fenton and Christina Fincher
Credit: The Star : News Feed
