The European Dairy Association (EDA) expressed dissatisfaction with the European Commission over the unilateral imposition by several EU member states of restrictions on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products, in particular dairy products, and demands support for the extension of suspension of all tariffs and quotas, the EDA said.
“As EDA, we have clearly stated our support for the continuation of the European Commission’s zero quota, zero tariff approach when it comes to Ukrainian dairy exports to the EU. These exceptional times ask for unity rather than solo flying member states putting the internal market at risk. Today we cannot see a market impact that would justify any restrictions on the import of Ukrainian dairy imports, and we therefore called upon the European Commission to defend the integrity of the single market and to uphold the special suspension for all tariffs and quotas,” it said.
“Our special EU-Ukrainian dairy relationship was recently underlined with the attendance of the CEO of the Ukrainian Dairy Federation at our latest EDA Dairy Policy Conference in March 2023,” it added.
The European Dairy Association (EDA) supports the extension of preferential treatment for Ukrainian dairy exports to the EU, according to the March issue of Dairy Flash.
“As EDA, we have made clear our support for the extension of the European Commission’s “zero quota, zero tariff” approach when it comes to Ukrainian dairy exports to the EU. It goes without saying that we expect compliance with the principle of reciprocity in the trade approach,” the EDA stressed.
The corresponding statement was made at the 6th Forum “Civil Society EU-Ukraine” that was held by the Trade Service of the European Commission with the participation of business organizations, environmental groups and non-governmental organizations of the EU and Ukraine.
EDA is a European platform of dairy processors, uniting cooperatives, private dairies, world dairy industry leaders, as well as small and medium-sized companies operating in the dairy sector. It has a major think tank. EDA committees and working groups work to ensure a sustainable dairy base in Europe, to unlock the potential of EU domestic markets, and to ensure growth in global dairy processing.
