Ukrainian honey imports penalize French beekeepers

Following the Russian invasion in February 2022, the European Union decided in June of the same year to fully liberalize trade with Ukraine, with the removal of all quotas and customs duties on Ukrainian products, particularly agricultural products. The aim was to support Ukraine economically. However, this decision has an economic impact on European farmers and beekeepers, due to an increase in imports of certain foodstuffs at unbeatable prices. This is why the FNSEA requested and obtained a new mechanism to better protect sensitive sectors (such as honey) from market disruptions. This safeguard mechanism came into force on June 5, 2024 and will be applicable until June 6, 2025. Thanks to the mobilization of the FNSEA beekeeping commission and the honey group of Copa (Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations of the European Union), an automatic safeguard measure specific to honey has thus been added. It is activated with a delay of fourteen days as soon as the volumes ...