The arbitration panel in the dispute between Ukraine and the EU regarding the ban on the export of unprocessed wood (logs) has recognized that Ukraine has the right to restrict the export of logs under certain circumstances, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture, Trade Representative Taras Kachka has said.
“The arbitrators in the unprocessed wood case have made their decision regarding the ban on the export of logs. The arbitrators recognized that Ukraine is able and has the right to restrict logs exports under certain circumstances. So the existing export ban in 2005 was recognized by the court as fully legitimate,” Kachka wrote on his Facebook page.
He said that at the same time, the arbitrators recognized that the 2015 ban should be adjusted taking into account the full right of Ukraine to regulate this area of activity in accordance with Article 290 and Article 293 of the Association Agreement. Corrective actions should be carried out in cooperation with the EU.
“The decision of the arbitrators gives us wide freedom to choose the measures of execution of the decision. The cornerstone of its implementation will be the creation of a normal market within Ukraine. So, the first step should be the approval of the law of Ukraine on the unprocessed wood market (bill No. 4197-1) based on a government experiment to sell logs at auctions,” Kachka said.
The effect of the Generalized System of Preferences, which allows for duty-free import of more than 3,500 types of goods from Ukraine to the United States, has been suspended for 155 types of Ukrainian goods from April 26, the Ukrainian Economic Development and Trade Ministry reported on Saturday, May 5. “A total of 155 types of goods fall under the restrictions, in particular, some products of the food, light, woodworking industry, engineering, and some electrical appliances,” the ministry said.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative enacted these restrictions from April 26 this year, 120 days after the publication of the respective presidential proclamation of December 22, 2017.
“The Economic Development and Trade Ministry has been in constant dialogue with the U.S. government and is working to resolve the problem. At the same time, the lifting of the restrictions largely depends on the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of bill No. 7466, known as the bill on the organization of collective management,” the report says. It recalls that the bill drafted by the ministry is aimed at establishing an effective and transparent system of collective management of property rights in the field of copyright and related rights in Ukraine. The document was adopted at first reading on March 1. On April 19, MPs began its consideration at second reading.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, ENGINEERING, FOOD PRODUCTS, IMPORT, UKRAINIAN GOODS, USA, WOODWORKING INDUSTRY
