Press Release: Commission proposes suspension of import duties on most cereals

The European Commission proposed the suspension of import duties on all cereals except oats for the current marketing year - which ends on June 30, 2008. This is a reaction to the exceptionally tight situation on the world and EU cereals markets and the record price levels. Although the current levels of border protection for cereals are rather low, import duties are still applied for certain types of grains that are relevant for the balance of the EU market. The proposal will have to be approved by the Council of Ministers, hopefully at its meeting starting on 18 December.