Poland abstains in Ukrainian trade preferences vote

Agriculture ministers from EU Member States have voted to adopt the trade preferences for Ukraine, aimed at strengthening the country's economy. Polish and Latvian representatives abstained from voting. Poland's deputy agriculture minister Ryszard Zarudzki explained that Poland has reservations as to the competitive pressures the preferences may put on its agriculture. The preferences include an increase in duty free sales of some Ukrainian agricultural products, such as grains, processed tomatoes and honey, and abolishing duties on some industrial products. The preferences should come into force by the end of September and remain in force for three years.