Guarantees are required to address the issue of unfair imports of Ukrainian eggs within the framework of the EU’s free trade agreement. This statement was made by Zsolt Feldman, Hungary’s State Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in response to Bulgaria’s request to halt egg imports from Ukraine until the single market is regulated. The request was presented by Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Georgi Takhov during the Agriculture Council meeting in Brussels.
Feldman emphasized the EU’s responsibility to protect its producers and stressed the importance of considering their interests in decision-making processes. He noted that Bulgaria had experienced a significant increase in egg imports from Ukraine, with over 2.6 million tons entering the country in the first half of the year – five times more than the same period in 2023. This surge has led to the bankruptcy of several poultry farms.
In his remarks, Feldman acknowledged that other member states had raised concerns about unfair competition in recent months and years. He also mentioned the existing autonomous trade measures (ATM), which remained in effect until 2025 and could be implemented for certain products.
Additionally, Feldman highlighted a Franco-German proposal to increase the de minimis aid to 50,000 euros, which had garnered support from 16 member countries. He pointed out that this signified a majority within the Council, and the European Commission must take this into consideration. He urged for prompt action regarding this matter.
The de minimis rule allows for small amounts of state aid to be exempt from notification obligations, with a maximum limit of 300,000 euros over three years for a single enterprise. (Novinite)