European Commission to be held to account for illegal sanctions against Belarusian potassium

On April 26th, MEP Thierry Mariani (Identity and Democracy political group) sent a written question to the European Commission on the subject of a threat to world food security in connection with illegal sanctions and restrictions on the transit of Belarusian potassium chloride

The question reveals the link of restrictions against Belarus with rising food prices and a negative impact on the category of farmers. In particular, it is noted that potassium is one of three critical substances (along with nitrogen and phosphorus), the use of which is crucial for maximising crop yields.

“Half of the world’s population eats foods made using artificial fertilisers. In 2021, the EU imposed restrictions on Belarus, excluding about 20 percent of potash fertilisers from trade with the EU. In March 2022, a new package of sanctions led to a complete ban on imports of potash fertilisers. Belarus produced 27 percent of potash imported into the EU between 2018 and 2020. The EU suffers from a serious shortage of this commodity, producing only 8 percent of the world’s potash. Rising fertiliser prices (prices grew 3-5-folds) lead to increased costs for farmers and an even greater increase in food prices. Thus, price inflation in supermarkets jumped to 19.8 percent in February 2023,” the MEP said.

Thierry Mariani asked the European Commission two questions in this regard:

- Does the commission think that the sanctions increase the cost of production for farmers and, therefore, lead to higher food prices?

- What strategies does it intend to adopt to help European farmers who have already been hit hard by rising energy prices and now face a new threat to deal with?

It is assumed that the MEP’s question must be answered in writing.