Kiri

Copa - Cogeca | European Farmers European Agri-Cooperatives 61, Rue de Trèves | B - 1040 Bruxelles | www.copa-cogeca.eu EU Transparency Register Number | Copa 44856881231-49 | Cogeca 09586631237-74

To the Minister of Trade (Estonia)

Brussels, 15 March 2024

RE: Letter concerning the trilogue on the European Commission’s proposal for the renewal of Autonomous Trade Measures for Ukraine

Dear Minister Riisalo,

Our six organisations strongly believe that in these difficult war times it is extremely important to support Ukraine. Nonetheless, European farmers and manufacturers must not be left to carry a disproportionate burden of the consequences of this trade liberalisation.

Hence, our organisations, representing the key affected producers and manufacturers from the 27 Member States of the EU, must once again address you concerning the on- going process of the renewal of the ATMs.

With the trilogue between the European Commission, Council and Parliament scheduled for next week, we ask you to please take into serious consideration the result of this week’s vote in the European Parliament plenary.

The amendments proposed by the European Parliament constitute the limited, but yet highly necessary changes required to address the concerns of affected EU farmers and manufacturers. Hence, we would like to underline the need to agree in the trilogue to these limited, yet highly needed changes.

From the point of view of our organisations, this mainly refers to the following, in order of priority:

Reference period - While as you know, we have repeatedly asked for the period of 2021/22 - we would like to support EPs amendment for 2021-22-23 as a compromise.

Commodities covered - Since the beginning we have called for the inclusion of cereals/oilseeds and honey in the proposal for the automatic safeguards. In this sense we would like to support the amendments from yesterday's vote as to the inclusion of common wheat, barley, oat, maize, and honey.

Copa - Cogeca | European Farmers European Agri-Cooperatives 61, Rue de Trèves | B - 1040 Bruxelles | www.copa-cogeca.eu EU Transparency Register Number | Copa 44856881231-49 | Cogeca 09586631237-74

Delay period - We are also supportive to the proposal for the change of the delay to activate the automatic safeguard measures from 21 days to 14 days, as this would allow to act more swiftly and prevent further deterioration of the situation.

We remain at your disposal for further exchange on this proposal, as well as on the future reflections concerning the evolving trade relationship between the EU and Ukraine.

On behalf of the following associations:

AVEC – Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU countries

CEFS – European Association of Sugar Manufacturers

CEPM – European Confederation of Maize Production

CIBE – International Confederation of European Beet Growers

COPA-COGECA - The united voice of farmers and their cooperatives in the European Union

EUWEP - European Union of Wholesale with Eggs, Egg Products, Poultry and Game

Cc:

• Minister of Agriculture • Agricultural Permanent Representatives to the European Union • Trade Permanent Representatives to the European Union