Seimas calls for introduction of EU-wide ban on imports of Russian and Belarusian grain

Press release, 14 March 2024

The Seimas adopted a resolution on banning imports of grain of Russian and Belarusian origin at European level. The Resolution (draft No XIVP-3532(2)) was adopted unanimously by 107 votes in favour.

‘With this Resolution, we seek to consolidate the parliaments of all countries in order to reach a common European-wide solution, without the need for national-level bans,’ said Viktoras Pranckietis, Chair of the Committee on Rural Affairs, who presented this initiative.

Under the adopted document, the Seimas requested the European Commission to draft, without delay, legislation banning imports of grain of Russian and Belarusian origin into the territory of the European Union and to ensure cooperation and coordination between the EU Member States so as to achieve the effective and uniform implementation of this ban throughout the European Union. The Resolution calls on the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Council to support this ban.

According to Mr Viktoras Pranckietis, this decision was proposed in the light of the need to ensure food security in the EU and worldwide, to protect farmers from a potential crisis linked to grain imports from Russia and Belarus and with a view to avoiding stimulation of the economies of these aggressor states in the agricultural and food production sectors and curtailing the regime’s ability to wage war against Ukraine.

The Lithuanian Parliament has invited the European Commission to examine the possibility of banning imports of food products of Russian and Belarusian origin into the EU and using products supplied by Ukrainian agricultural entities if there is a need to regulate flows of agricultural products.
The Seimas also proposed that the European Commission consider the possibility of introducing, in the event of unfavourable market prices, a system for the intervention buying-in of surplus grain in Ukraine, thereby maintaining grain prices, guaranteeing the income of producers and contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the World Food Programme.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, the EU has imposed 13 packages of sanctions against Russia aimed at weakening its economic base and thus curtailing its ability to wage war.

Mr Pranckietis, Chair of the Seimas Committee on Rural Affairs, pointed out that the idea of passing a national law has not been abandoned, and next week an initiative is to be submitted to the Seimas proposing introduction of a temporary ban on imports into Lithuania of agricultural products and fodder originating in Russia or Belarus.

Prepared by
Rimas Rudaitis,
Adviser, Press Office,
Information and Communication Department
Tel. +370 5 209 6132, e-mail: [email protected]