European Commission opposes ban on food imports from Belarus, Russia – report 

March 15, Pozirk. The European Commission opposes a ban on agricultural and food imports from Belarus and Russia despite the overwhelming support from MEPs, Polskie Radio 24 reported.

Ylva Johansson, the European commissioner for home affairs, ruled out the complete ban, telling MEPs that none of the 13 sanctions packages against Russia included a similar embargo.

The European Union’s ban on food imports from Russia could trigger a spike in prices for the Global South importers, she noted.

Polish MEP Andrzej Halicki countered her at the European Parliament’s debates, pointing out a destabilization of EU agricultural markets.

Russia and Belarus deliberately export cheaper food and grain, he said, urging the European Commission to respond with an embargo immediately. European farmers and MEPs would support such a move, he stressed.

Anna Fotyga, another MEP from Poland, also backed the ban, accusing Russia of trying to substitute agricultural exports from Ukraine and other countries with its own products, including in the EU.

The Polish Sejm adopted a resolution on March 7, urging the European Commission to ban food imports from Russia and Belarus.