Government and Opposition Clash over Legal Basis for Ukrainian Grain Import Ban
رجوع
A debate has emerged within Hungarian agricultural policy regarding the legal framework for import restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products. Szabolcs Bóna, the new Minister of Agriculture and Food Economy representing the TISZA Party, and the now-opposition Fidesz-KDNP parliamentary group are accusing each other of failing to provide a legal basis for the import bans.
Agriculture Minister Szabolcs Bóna stated on his social media page on Thursday that the previous government had left behind legal uncertainty. The import restrictions adopted under the Fidesz government had been tied to the special provisions of the national state of emergency. When that state of emergency ended, the restrictions were not automatically enshrined in law, which the minister criticized as a planning shortcoming.
Fact
The ban was introduced in April 2023 because, following the outbreak of the war, the European Union had taken measures to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grain and had established “solidarity corridors” so that products not compliant with EU regulations could reach their destination countries, primarily in Africa. However, experience showed that the Ukrainian grain remained in Eastern European countries, and since it was sold at lower prices, local farmers suffered because they could not sell their own products.
Although Ukrainian agricultural products do not comply with EU regulations, the European Commission intends to continue allowing their unrestricted import.
The TISZA politician announced that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Economy would immediately review the situation and draft new legislation to restore legal certainty in protecting the Hungarian market and domestic producers. “The protection of Hungarian food, Hungarian soil, and Hungarian farmers is in the national interest,” said the minister.
The regulations currently being drafted are intended to cover meat products (beef, pork, sheep, goat, and poultry), frozen vegetables, and grains.
According to the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih), a total of six shipments from Ukraine were reported between May 18 and 20 following the formal expiration of the ban, including four shipments of white sugar (91 tons), which was not covered by the previous ban, as well as two shipments of processed grains.
In an official statement on Thursday, the Fidesz-KDNP parliamentary group firmly rejected the minister’s account and denied the accusation that it had built a legislative loophole into the law.
The parliamentary group also emphasized that
the new government has had all the necessary tools and authority for the past eight days to reimpose a ban on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products.
The fact that this has not yet happened falls within the current government’s sphere of responsibility. The opposition therefore accuses the government of attempting to divert attention from its own delays by blaming the previous administration.
Via MTI; Featured photo: Facebook/Szijjártó Péter
The post Government and Opposition Clash over Legal Basis for Ukrainian Grain Import Ban appeared first on Hungary Today.
المصدر: Hungary Today