Because of grain imports

ÖVP farmers send warning letter to von der Leyen

Former Minister of Agriculture Nikolaus Berlakovich, ÖVP regional party chairman and MEP Christian Sagartz (right) and MEP Alexander Bernhuber (center) were instrumental in writing a letter of formal notice to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.(Bild: Imre Antal)

The European Union is currently on grain alert because the European market is being flooded with imports from Ukraine despite overflowing storage facilities in Austria. The decisive vote is due to take place in Brussels on Wednesday. Domestic farmers are rising up on the barricades. 

The amount of grain imported more than doubled in the twelve months following the abolition of tariffs in July 2022. For sugar, it was almost six times as much. A fact that is particularly upsetting for domestic farmers. Because this means massive losses for domestic agriculture. The ÖVP politicians Alexander Bernhuber, Christian Sagartz and Nikolaus Berlakovich are therefore sounding the alarm and calling on "party colleague" and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take action - in a warning letter.

Protection for grain demanded
Specifically, the political trio is calling for protective measures for cereals and oilseeds. That is why 13 MEPs are now sending a letter of formal notice to von der Leyen. This is because the Commission is currently driving a crash course through all the barn doors of domestic farmers. Free trade with Ukraine is even to be extended by a further year.

The decision could be made today. This is because the EU Parliament is voting on the controversial further extension of trade facilitation. A radical course correction is needed for agricultural imports from Ukraine!

Alexander Bernhuber

Showdown in the EU Parliament
"Imports from Ukraine must return to the level we had before the war. This requires quotas, tariffs and strict controls on quality standards," appeal MEPs Christian Sagartz from Burgenland and Alexander Bernhuber, whose political home is in Lower Austria. In the interests of local farmers, they will also voice their concerns in the upcoming vote on the extension of trade liberalization in plenary. The initiative is also supported by Austria's representative in the EU farmers' association COPA, the President of the Burgenland Chamber of Agriculture, Nikolaus Berlakovich.