The import restrictions on Ukrainian grain maintained independently by Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia were probably incompatible with EU law, according to German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir.

Mr Özdemir, a Green Party politician, said ahead of a meeting with other EU agriculture ministers in Brussels on Monday that he saw no reason for such measures.

“I also don’t see how this can be brought into line with EU law,” he said.

He said his information showed that the market was handling Ukrainian grain well.

The European Commission is currently analysing measures taken by the three EU states, a spokeswoman said.

The European Commission announced on Friday that it was phasing out controversial trade restrictions on Ukrainian grain products.

In doing so, the authority opposed demands from EU states such as Poland and Hungary.

In response, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia announced they would maintain the measures even without Brussels’ approval. They said they need to protect domestic farmers from competition from significantly increased imports from Ukraine.

Ukraine is a major grain producer but struggles to export the food due to Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

Mr Özdemir has the backing of his Spanish ministerial colleague.

Unilateral measures that restrict access to the EU internal market do not seem to him to be something that would fall under the law, said Luis Planas.

Spain currently holds the six-monthly rotating presidency among EU states.

Both Mr Özdemir and Mr Planas stressed, however, that it is up to the European Commission to judge whether it sees a breach of law in the actions of the three eastern EU states.

Theoretically, the commission can then initiate the so-called infringement proceedings, which can end with proceedings before the European Court of Justice and a fine. 

(dpa/NAN)