After months of continuous farmers protests on the European continent, EU member states and the European Parliament have finally reached an agreement to restrict the duty - free exports of some Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU market, trying to ease the current tense situation.

Under this agreement, the EU will continue allowing duty-free exports of Ukrainian wheat and barley, but implements protective measures for more sensitive agricultural products like oats, corn, sugar, honey, eggs, and poultry to safeguard European markets and producers. Specific measures include restoring some tariffs and setting quota limits.

Previously, in June 2022, the EU extended Ukraines agricultural tariff exemption until June 2023 to help Ukraine through economic difficulties. However, this decision sparked strong protests from European farmers, who accused unrestricted inflows of cheap Ukrainian products of depressing local prices and creating unfair competition.

Especially in some countries bordering Ukraine, the farmers anger is more intense. Polish farmers have blocked the border crossings with Germany and Ukraine several times to protest against the governments neglect of farmers interests.

After an emergency special session in Strasbourg this Tuesday to Wednesday, the European Parliament reached a compromise: extending Ukraines agricultural tariff exemption until June 5, 2025, while imposing limits on certain sensitive products.

However, the EU reserves the right to emergently revoke the tariff exemption if Ukrainian products continue disrupting local markets, preventing further escalation.

This balanced approach reflects the EUs difficult attempt to reconcile solidarity with Ukraine and protecting local farmers. The next challenge will be implementing precise measures to prevent complete opposition between these priorities.