Ukraine will sue Poland, Hungary and Slovakia over agricultural bans
Ukraine will sue Poland, Hungary and Slovakia over agricultural bans POLITICO Europe
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Kyiv to Sue EU Countries over Grain Ban
Kyiv will sue Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia over their refusal to drop a ban on Ukrainian agricultural products, according to Ukraine’s Trade Representative Taras Kachka. The bans by the three Central European countries aim to protect their farmers from a surge in exports from Ukraine, following Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea. Poland’s ruling party is particularly concerned about the increase in Ukrainian agricultural exports as it relies on rural support for its election campaign.
Legal Proceedings and Retaliation
Kachka stated that it is important to prove the legal wrongness of these actions and announced that legal proceedings will begin soon. In response, Kyiv is preparing to retaliate against Polish fruit and vegetable exports.
Rebellion against the European Commission
Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have rebelled against the European Commission’s decision to allow Ukrainian grain sales across the EU. They have imposed their own bans on Ukrainian grain, which Kachka believes is a statement of total distrust towards the European Commission.
Systemic Concerns
Kachka argues that the defiance against Brussels by these countries raises a significant systemic concern. He questions whether international trade partners can trust that Brussels speaks for the EU. The trade chief emphasizes that the European Commission has been the trade negotiator and trade policy institution for the entire EU for many years.
Legal Action at the World Trade Organization
Kyiv plans to sue the countries at the World Trade Organization instead of using its own trade accord with the EU. Kachka believes that this legal action will demonstrate to the world how member states in the EU behave towards trade partners and their own Union.
Additional Bans and Retaliation
Slovakia extended the EU’s previous ban on four types of grain, while Poland imposed additional bans on Ukrainian flour and feed. Hungary went even further by banning an additional 25 products, including meat. Kachka criticizes these arbitrary prohibitions as ridiculous and views Hungary’s actions as a bold movement against both Ukraine and Brussels. If Warsaw does not drop its additional bans, Kyiv will retaliate by prohibiting the import of fruit and vegetables from Poland.
Protection of Farmers
The governments in Budapest and Warsaw claim that they are acting to protect their farmers from a surge in Ukrainian products that has depressed prices. However, Kachka argues that Poland’s ban will not help farmers or affect prices since prices are global. He believes that Poland’s actions are based on public opinion rather than economic reasoning.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article discusses the bans imposed by Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia on Ukrainian agricultural products. These bans are connected to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) as they affect Ukraine’s agricultural exports, potentially impacting the country’s economy and food security. The article also mentions the importance of trade partners trusting that Brussels speaks for the EU, which relates to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Additionally, the article highlights the potential impact on farmers and prices, which is relevant to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
- Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers.
- Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
- Target 10.1: By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population at a rate higher than the national average.
- Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.
The targets identified are aligned with the SDGs mentioned above. Target 1.2 focuses on reducing poverty, which is relevant to the impact of the bans on Ukrainian agricultural exports. Target 2.3 aims to improve agricultural productivity and incomes, which could be affected by the bans. Target 8.3 relates to promoting job creation and economic growth, which may be impacted by the trade restrictions. Target 10.1 addresses reducing inequalities in income growth, which could be influenced by the bans’ consequences. Finally, Target 17.16 emphasizes the importance of partnerships for sustainable development, which is relevant to the need for trust and unity among EU member states.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Proportion of population living in poverty
- Agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers
- Job creation and entrepreneurship
- Income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population
- Trust and unity among EU member states
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, indicators such as the proportion of population living in poverty, agricultural productivity and incomes, job creation and entrepreneurship, income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population, and trust and unity among EU member states can be used to assess progress towards the targets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. | – Proportion of population living in poverty |
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers. | – Agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. | – Job creation and entrepreneurship |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.1: By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population at a rate higher than the national average. | – Income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources. | – Trust and unity among EU member states |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: politico.eu
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