Distribution of Russian steel slab import quotas following EU sanctions

Priority question for written answer  P-001353/2024
to the Commission
Rule 138
Benoît Lutgen (PPE)

On 18 December 2023, the Council adopted a package of sanctions against Russia, providing for a ban on all imports of Russian steel into Europe from October 2024, among other things. The EU eventually decided, in its 12th package of sanctions, that this would extend until 30 September 2028.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2874 of 18 December 2023 amending decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine postpones the deadline for finding new sources of supply by four years. The new decision imposes a gradual reduction in the volume of annual Russian steel slab imports into Europe:

– 3.185 million metric tonnes between October 2024 and September 2025;

– 2.998 million metric tonnes between October 2025 and September 2026;

– 2.623 million metric tonnes between October 2026 and September 2027;

– 2.061 million metric tonnes between October 2027 and September 2028;

• 1.Can the Commission explain how the authorised quantities of Russian steel slabs will be distributed among importing companies in the Member States?
• 2.Will it be a question of quotas distributed among EU Member States?
• 3.Or will it be quotas distributed among Europe’s various steel companies?

Submitted:26.4.2024