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Ukraine bans grain export

17 August 2010 15:22 (UTC +04:00)

"We are proposing to allow the export of 2.5 million tonnes from now until the end of the year," said Agricultural Policy Minister Mykola Prysyazhnyuk, adding that one million tonnes currently held in ports would also be exported.

He said that the issue would be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported. The quota would come into force on September 1, he added.

Putin has shrugged off the controversy, warning that the ban could even be extended. "There is no need to count on a quick removal of the export ban," he said, adding that anyone waiting for December 31 was doing so "in vain".

There has been criticism of the ban even within Russia, with some players saying it will take the country years to regain its international market position and risks driving domestic grain producers out of business.

An EU spokesman said on Tuesday that the European Union has plenty of grain in stock and will not suffer from Russia’s decision to ban exports.