The draft law that provides for the provisional licensing of imports of grain and oilseed crops was passed by Parliament after it had been given two readings. The provision will be valid until December 31, 2024. At the suggestion of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, this term can be extended by a maximum of 12 months, IPN reports.

The import of grain and oilseed crops, such as wheat, corn, sunflower, other than those intended for sowing, will be allowed only on the basis of the import license issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. The license will be issued free of charge. Persons who have received the import license will not have the right to trade and/or export the imported goods.

This draft law aims to prevent serious damage to domestic farmers caused by the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the situation in which farmers will not be able to sell their products or will sell them at prices lower than production costs, said MP Alexandr Trubca, author of the legislative initiative.

The law enters into force on the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

The licensing measure for the import of grain and oilseeds was introduced for the first time on October 11, 2023 and was functional during the state of emergency (until December 31, 2023). The next decision to maintain this measure was taken on January 5, 2024 and extended on April 8, with the June 26 deadline. Farmers’ associations sent an open letter to the authorities in which they requested the extension of the controlled import of grain and oilseeds from Ukraine.