Cereals, De Castro (PD): Immediately stop imports from Russia

Strasbourg – “A shot of courage is needed, blocking Russian cereal imports. Our farmers and producers are ready to take up this challenge, strengthening European production also thanks to the necessary simplification measures of the CAP and diversifying supply chains, starting with the one with Ukraine.” This is the position of Paolo De Castro (S&D/ PD), Member of the European Parliament, speaking in the debate with Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson on the need to impose sanctions on imports into the EU of Russian and Belarusian agricultural products and ensure the stability of EU agricultural production.

“Russia’s geopolitical strategies take advantage of the strength of its agricultural sector, with cereal exports that have expanded like wildfire not only in Africa but also in the Union, putting further pressure on the profitability of our farms,” De Castro added. “Low-cost imports that – according to the former chairman of the Agriculture Commission – have led to a collapse in European prices and sowings, with effects that are opposite to the goal of greater food security we had set for ourselves by excluding  agribusiness from EU sanction packages imposed on Moscow so far.”

“Gas proves the case: although it seemed impossible, Europe has demonstrated that it has the strength to disengage itself from any dependence, be it energy or other raw materials,” De Castro concluded.