SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria on Wednesday turned the most recent European nation to quickly ban the import of Ukrainian grain and different agricultural produce following protests from native farmers, excluding items in transit destined for export.

The measure shall be in place till the tip of June. Officials stated it should shield Bulgarian farmers’ competitiveness amid a market glut of Ukrainian grain that has lowered costs, and assist them promote their very own grain that has piled up, unsold, in warehouses.

Agriculture Minister Yavor Gechev instructed reporters that Sofia is following the instance of fellow European Union members Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, including that Bulgaria’s market was “really saturated enough with crops.”

“Our own production is worth billions, and we believe it will be difficult to sell, so we will suffer serious losses unless we take measures,” Gechev stated.

Similar strikes by different nations within the area drew the anger of the EU’s govt department, the European Commission, which manages commerce for the 27 bloc members. The fee warned that EU commerce coverage is formed collectively and never by every member nation.

After Russia blocked conventional export sea passages amid the warfare in Ukraine, the EU lifted duties on Ukrainian grain to facilitate its transport to Africa and the Middle East and supplied to pay some compensation to farmers on transit nations, which they stated was inadequate. Ukraine is a significant exporter of farm produce.

Bulgaria’s ban is not going to have an effect on the solidarity corridors arrange by the EU for the transit of Ukrainian grain. Gechev stated that whereas these have been closed in “a number of European countries” the products shall be re-directed via Romania and Bulgaria.

He additionally voiced concern over stories from neighboring nations that some Ukrainian items had allegedly examined constructive for substances not licensed within the EU.

Gechev instructed reporters that Bulgaria was “still in solidarity with Ukraine,” saying its foodstuffs could be allowed to transit the nation, and voiced hope {that a} joint EU determination concerning the solidarity corridors shall be adopted.

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