Commissioner Cioloș ready to propose definitive end for use of export refunds for destinations in Africa, even in crisis
In his opening speech at the Green Week in Berlin, Commissioner for Agriculture and Development Dacian Cioloș expressed his readiness to stop the use of export refunds for exports to developing countries in Africa with which the European Union has an Economic Partnership Agreement, stressing this is an important step in terms of coherence between EU Agriculture and Development policies.
He said: "Since 1 January, EU legislation is also very clear: export refunds have ceased to exist as a means of systematically supporting a sector. Moreover, I would like to tell you this evening, in the framework of preferential partnership agreements with African countries: I am prepared to go one step further. I am ready to propose to stop, once and for all, the use of export refunds to those developing country destinations – even in times of crisis when this instrument can still be used."
