A revised EU–Ukraine trade deal published this week gives member states new powers to block Ukrainian food imports if they harm local farmers.
The agreement allows safeguards to be triggered over “serious” economic or societal disruption—even protests—at a national level.
This marks a shift from previous EU policy, which gave Ukraine full tariff-free access.
Farming groups say the move protects local producers from being undercut by cheap Ukrainian goods.
Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia already have national bans in place.
The deal must still be approved by EU governments before coming into force.
