KIEV SAYS MOLDOVA VIOLATED WTO REGULATIONS BY INTRODUCING DUTIES ON UKRAINIAN GOODS

The trade restrictions on importing meat and dairy products from Ukraine, introduced by Moldova, are violating the World Trade Organization (WTO) norms and the CIS free trade agreement, said Deputy Minister of the Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Natalia Nikolskaya.

According to Ukrainian media, she regards this as violation of good-neighborly relations of the two countries, who have the Association Agreement with EU signed.

“Thus, an adequate reaction will appear from our side”, she stressed.

According to her, a meeting will be conducted in the Ministry, where proposals will be elaborated on Ukraine’s retaliatory measures, which will be presented to the country’s Government.

The Ukrainian Association of Dairy Producers has also pointed at the Moldovan Government’s decision.

“Moldova will not be able to completely renounce to Ukrainian milk goods due to poorly developed domestic production”, its members said.

The Association agrees that after Russian market closure, Ukrainian milk processing enterprises focused their attention on former Soviet countries, especially Moldova. 12% of the entire 2015 Ukrainian dairy products imports accounted for Moldova.

“In these conditions, the market was oversaturated with Ukrainian milk products. Moldovan dairy products processors expressed their dissatisfaction back a month ago. As a response on this, the Moldovan Government excluded Ukraine from the free trade zone till December 31 2016”, the Association administration said.

As Infotag has already reported, the import quotas on Ukrainian milk and cream will account 1 thousand tons, on kefir, yoghurt, sour cream – 1 thousand tons, butter, ice-cream, cheese and cottage cheese – 750 tons; quotes on sausages and canned meat – 250 tons, cement – 500 tons.

However, the bulk milk and the dried milk, imported by domestic producers and processors of milk as raw materials will not be charged with duties.