Import duties may go on cereals

THE European Commission has proposed the suspension of import duties on all cereals except oats for the current marketing year, which ends on June 30, 2008.

It is a reaction to the exceptionally tight situation on the world and EU cereals markets and the record price levels. A meeting of the EU Council of Agricultural Ministers starting on December 18 will have to give its approval.

EU Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said she hopes this proposal will help facilitate cereals imports from outside the EU and reduce tensions on European grains markets.