Ukrainian Railways temporarily restricts shipping of fats, oils to Poland via Izov station

MOSCOW. Feb 14 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Railways has imposed conventional restrictions on the shipping of agricultural products to Poland through the Izov station.

The restrictions apply to animal and plant fats and oils, ready-to-use edible fats and animal and plant waxes, Ukrainian media said, citing the Ukrainian Railways website.

The measure will be in force from February 15 to February 21.

Last week, Ukrainian Railways imposed indefinite conventional restrictions on all rail shipments to Poland via the Hrubieszow border crossing.

The company introduced the restrictions amid calls by Polish authorities for tightening veterinary controls of agricultural produce arriving from Ukraine and their concerns about excessive imports of sugar, oil, and grain, including flour and corn, to the Polish market.

In addition, Polish farmers started a nationwide strike on February 9. It was prompted by the European Commission's proposal that duty-free trade with Ukraine, which was initially to remain in effect until June 2024, be extended to 2025. The protests should last for 30 days, during which protesting farmers intend to block all Ukrainian-Polish border crossings and several transport junctions. The blockade affected only five border crossings as of February 13. The other crossings will be blocked starting February 20.