Solidarity Lanes to help Ukraine export agricultural goods
As part of the EU's solidarity response with Ukraine, the Commission presented a set of actions to help Ukraine export its agricultural produce.
Until recently, 75% of Ukraine's grain production was exported. This contributed around 20% of national annual export revenues. With the blockade of the Black Sea ports, the agricultural producers lost access to their export markets.
The situation is threatening global food security and there is an urgent need to establish alternative logistics routes using all relevant transport modes.
On May 12, EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Velyan presented in Brussels a "Solidarity Lanes" action plan designed to assist Ukrainian food exports. 20 million tons of grain will be transported from Ukraine via EU infrastructure in less than three months under this project.
The plan foresees the priority actions to be taken in the following directions the short-term:
- Assigning additional freight rolling stock
- Increasing capacity of transport network and transshipment terminals
- Improving customs operations and inspections
- Increasing capacity for storage of goods on the territory of the EU
In the medium to long term, the Commission will also work on increasing the infrastructure capacity of new export corridors and on establishing new infrastructure connections in the framework of the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Read more about the “Solidarity Lanes” here.
Additionally, to facilitate trade across the Ukrainian-Polish border, Ukraine and Poland will implement joint customs controls on the border and will work on a shared railway company to ease the movement of people and increase Ukraine's export potential.
Earlier the Polish side has decided to ensure the operation of veterinary and sanitary services 24/7. To do this, employees of the relevant services will be transferred to the Ukrainian-Polish border.
Ukrainian pork and beef, meat products and composite products will be allowed for transit through the territory of Romania.
At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine warns trading partners and consumers of imported grain, that grains illegally seized from Ukrainian farmers on the temporarily occupied territories is offered for sale on the international market. Russian occupants are stealing Ukrainian grain and either consuming it themselves or attempting to sell it on international markets.