European Union on Monday put forward a “temporary emergency measure” to obligate manufacturers of explosives to prioritise the orders of firms producing ammunition for Ukraine.

The Defense News website, citing a European Commission spokesperson, reported that “the commission’s proposal provides priority-rated orders to help manufacturers.

“For example, with the supply of necessary raw materials where the Commission could ask suppliers to prioritise selling to those manufacturers.’’

The spokesperson was cited as saying that the “emergency measure” is getting through the EU’s approval process.

According to the report, the initiative has already drawn criticism from several member states and private companies that fear the commission will get too much power in assuming the role of regulator of the ammunition market.

They argue the plan will create conditions for violating trade secrets or disclosing confidential information.

The unnamed commission spokesperson allayed these concerns by telling Defense News that “the commission has long-standing experience in handling such information in the context of other procedures and has the necessary safeguards in place”.

In early May, the commission announced it would allocate €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) for producing ammunition for Ukraine.

The EU plans to spend another €500 million on expanding the production of shells in Europe. 

(Sputnik/NAN)