The Czech Republic has so far not detected any elevated levels of pesticides, mold toxins and other pollutants during inspections of grain, animal feed and other agricultural imports from Ukraine, DPA reported, citing a statement by Czech Agriculture Minister Zdenek Nekula, BTA informed.
According to the minister, there is no reason for “unnecessary panic”. He reiterated his opposition to a unilateral ban on Ukrainian grain imports.
Currently, virtually all imports of agricultural products from the country attacked by Russia are checked. The samples are tested for more than 400 substances each, including pesticide residues and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium.
Nekula’s comments come at a time when Ukrainian grain exports to the Visegrad Group countries, which in addition to the Czech Republic include Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, are under scrutiny. All countries of the Visegrad Group are members of the European Union.
Last Friday, Slovakia banned the sale of Ukrainian wheat as food and animal feed until further notice due to the presence of pesticides. This was followed at the weekend by Poland, which banned imports of grain and other agricultural products from its eastern neighbour. Hungary also banned some Ukrainian agricultural products.
On Monday, the European Commission criticized these decisions, noting that the EU, not individual member states, decides on trade policies.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Poland and Ukraine reached an agreement in their dispute over the glut of cheap Ukrainian grain on the market, leaving Polish farmers feeling threatened.
“We have successfully concluded negotiations with the Ukrainian side on the transit of products from Ukraine through Poland,” Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Tellus said late Tuesday.
Yesterday, the Bulgarian government made a decision temporarily restricting the access of a number of products originating in Ukraine to the territory of our country.
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Assessment 3.2 from 25 voice.
