The Hungarian authorities urgently returned the ban on the import of agricultural products from Ukraine, after the restrictions temporarily ceased to operate. This is reported by Euractiv.
The lifting of sanctions in the government of Peter Magyar was explained by a “legislative error” — the ban expired automatically after the change of power in the country and the revision of regulations. The Hungarian cabinet said that the measures were urgently returned.
“The sanctions were lifted due to a legislative error,” a government spokesman told Euractiv, adding that the Magyar cabinet had taken “urgent measures” to quickly restore the ban.
Restrictions apply to about 20 categories of goods — meat, grain, eggs, butter, seeds and other products. Honey can also be added to the list.
Imports from Ukraine should not “threaten the incomes of local farmers,” explained the head of the Ministry of Agriculture of the country Shabolch Bona.
Earlier, restrictions on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products were introduced by Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, despite the position of the European Commission. Brussels calls such measures a violation of EU rules, but so far refrains from legal action.
Leading Member of the European Parliament for Trade Relations EU and Ukraine’s Karin Carlsbro told Euractiv that she “deeply regrets” that Hungary decided to maintain the “illegal import ban.”
The new Prime Minister of Hungary confirmed the information about the return of the ban.
“The government withdraws Hungary’s intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court and prohibits the import of agricultural products from Ukraine,” he wrote on the social network X.