
EU lawmakers back huge tariffs for Russia, Belarus fertiliser
Tariffs for certain nitrogen-based fertilisers will rise over three years from 6.5% to an amount equivalent to about 100%, a level that would effectively halt trade. For the farm produce, an additional 50% duty will apply.
The tariff hikes are expected to take effect on July 1.
More than 70% of EU fertiliser consumption in 2023 was of the nitrogen-based product targeted, and Russia accounted for 25% of EU imports, worth about 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion).
Russian and Belarus grain was already hit with prohibitive tariffs last year. The new tariffs apply to the 15% of agriculture imports from Russia not previously subject to duties, worth 380 million euros. This includes meat, dairy produce, fruit and vegetables
The European Commission said these imports, particularly of fertilisers, made the EU vulnerable to potential coercive actions by Russia that could threaten EU food security.
EU imports from Belarus were more limited at 92 million euros for farm produce and 30 million euros for fertilisers in 2023.
The European Commission has said the tariffs will help support domestic production and allow for diversification of supply from elsewhere.
The change to a higher fertiliser tariff includes potential mitigation measures if EU farmers see substantial price increases.
The levies will not affect transit of Russian agricultural and fertiliser exports to third countries. The EU has so far avoided imposing sanctions on them so as not to disturb global supplies, particularly to developing countries.
The European Parliament approved the hikes by 411 votes to 100, with 78 abstentions. ($1 = 0.8835 euros) (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Bart Meijer)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
International community 'failing to do enough for Gaza'
Civilians on boats should not be needed to highlight children starving in Gaza, and that the international community needed to "grow a backbone" and say "stop the genocide," the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has said. He also said that he hopes that by the next European Foreign Affairs Council meeting, the European Commission will come forward with proposals for actions and sanctions that can be taken, at a European level, against Israel in response. Speaking before Cabinet, Mr Harris said that he had heard a lot of media commentary that the Madleen flotilla was "symbolic" and he agreed that it was, but said that it represented "very important symbolism". "What it's actually highlighting is that there are people starving in Gaza today," he said. "You can have all the back and forth about Greta (Thunberg) or what the Israelis have said about her or what she has said about them, the point is this; there is a genocide happening. There are children starving today, and the only reason that this is happening is because Israel has a block on food entering Gaza," Mr Harris said. "Anything that can be done to make sure the eyes of the world are fixed on Gaza, at a time when the international community is failing to do enough for Gaza and for the children of Gaza, is a good and appropriate thing." "It shouldn't require flotillas, it shouldn't require civilians getting on boats and trying to highlight this, it should require the international community growing a backbone here and saying stop! Stop the genocide." "When I attend the next (European) Foreign Affairs Council meeting I really hope and expect that the European Commission won't just tell us that they are continuing to review the Association Agreement with Israel, I expect them to come forward with proposals, actions that we can actually take, sanctions that can be taken at a European level against Israel to say this genocide must stop," Mr Harris said. at least 17 Palestinians and wounded dozens of others as thousands of displaced people approached an aid distribution site of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in central Gaza, according to local health authorities. The Israeli military said they are looking into the incident.


Agriland
an hour ago
- Agriland
Heydon to meet EU commissioner for agriculture in Japan
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon is set to meet with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen in Japan this week. The meeting comes as Minister Heydon is currently leading a major agri-food government trade mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan. The trade mission, in collaboration with Bord Bia, and Enterprise Ireland, runs until Saturday (June 14) and will include political meetings, as well as market development engagement at a series of trade events with commercial representatives. The minister will be present for the Seoul Food, Korea's largest international exhibition for the food, drink, hotel, and food service industry. He will also attend Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan which is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors, with participation by 160 countries. Japan Commissioner Hansen is visiting Japan in a bid 'to strengthen agricultural ties' and showcase the EU agri-food sector at the Osaka World Expo. The visit comes as Japan remains the EU's fifth-largest market for agri-food exports, worth €8.3 billion in 2024. The trading relationship has been underpinned by the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement which is in force since 2019. In Tokyo, Commissioner Hansen will deliver a keynote speech at the EU-Japan Business Forum and will meet with members of Japan's House of Representatives. He will hold a series of meetings, including with Yoichi Watanabe, Vice-Minister for International Affairs; Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and Hirofumi Takinami, State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In Osaka, the commissioner will engage with ambassadors from EU member states. On Thursday (June 12), Commissioner Hansen will deliver a keynote speech at the EU Policy Event at Osaka World Expo 2025. During this speech, he is expected to highlight EU food excellence and the EU's commitment to sustainable and innovative agriculture. Alongside the expo, the commissioner will meet with President of Finland Alexander Stubb, and the Irish and Lithuanian agriculture ministers, Martin Heydon and Ignas Hoffman. Hansen will also have discussions with the State Secretary for Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of The Netherlands, Jean Rummenie.


The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
We know Russia is plotting to invade Nato – Ukraine is just the beginning for Putin, says head of Germany's MI6
VLADIMIR Putin has his evil eyes set on invading Nato with his invasion of Ukraine only just the beginning, Germany's spy boss has warned. Bruno Kahl, head of Berlin's Federal Intelligence Service, says his team have intel that Russia is plotting to test the resolve of the alliance in the coming years. 7 Bruno Kahl, head of Berlin's Federal Intelligence Service, says his team have intel that Russia is plotting to test the resolve of the alliance Credit: Alamy 7 A Russian drone strike on Kyiv overnight left dozens of residential buildings crumbling Credit: AP 7 Ukraine is often left battling to survive Putin's continued drone attacks Credit: Getty 7 A similar concerning message was made by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday. He warned people in Britain 'better learn to speak Russian' if Sir Keir Starmer doesn't increase defence spending immediately. Rutte also said in a speech in London that Russia could be in a position to attack Nato by 2030. Europe is continuing to battle with Russia's increased aggression against Ukraine. read more in Ukraine war Many Nato nations have imposed sanctions on the Kremlin to try and draw them towards the negotiating table to help end the war. This pressure has been mainly applied by Starmer, France 's Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump. But Putin is yet to stop his nightly attacks. Russia Most read in The US Sun It is now believed that Vlad fires And Bruno Kahl fears this is only the start of Putin's sick plans to take over Europe. Satellite pics show Putin on the march as Russia masses troops 35 miles from Nato border with 2k soldiers & helicopters Kahl told Table Media this week: "We are quite certain, and we have intelligence showing it, that Ukraine is only a step on the journey westward. "That doesn't mean we expect tank armies to roll westwards but we see that Nato's collective defence promise is to be tested." Kahl believes twisted Russian officials want to see how the US would react to direct confrontations with fellow Nato members. These would all fall short of full military engagement but would give the Kremlin an insight into where Donald Trump stands. As part of the US's pact within Nato they have a mutual obligation alongside all other members to defend each other when under attack. This ruling comes under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Kahl says one way this could be done is through Putin's "little green men" being shipped off to Estonia. During Russia's barbaric 2014 annexation of Crimea they took control of dozens of buildings and offices through the use of soldiers in unmarked uniforms and civilian clothes. Moscow initially denied the men's identities which meant they became known as "little green men". What is Nato? THE North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is a political and military alliance of countries from North America and Europe. It was founded in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union with Cold War tensions rising. Among articles in its found treaty is the principle of collective defence - the idea that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all of them. Nato takes decisions by consensus but the political and military strength of the United States means that it is by far the most powerful country in the alliance. Its nuclear arsenal is seen as the ultimate security guarantee. Nato has 31 members - most of them European nations, plus the United States and Canada. The newest member is Finland, which joined last April in reaction to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Sweden applied to join along with Finland but is waiting for Hungary to ratify its application as the final major step before membership. Kahl's beliefs have been echoed by the International Institute for Strategic Studies who say Putin may This could see Putin commit to an attack on Nato states in the Baltics. Poland and the neighbouring states have already been rumoured to be And Photos show increased military activity at four locations inside Russia - Kamenka, Petrozavodsk, Severomorsk-2 and Olenya. Any attack could take place within two years of a ceasefire, IISS warns. Many of these fears stem from if the US and President Trump decide to withdraw support from Nato - leaving Europe to defend itself. 7 Vladimir Putin has his evil eyes set on invading Nato with his invasion of Ukraine only just the beginning, Germany's spy boss has warned Credit: EPA 7 Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned Russia may attack again by 2030 Credit: Reuters 7