Import of GM rapeseed in Ukraine de facto legalizes its cultivation

The proposal to allow the import of genetically modified (GM) rapeseed into Ukraine, intended as a temporary measure to load underutilized processing facilities, could have long-term negative consequences for the entire agricultural sector. This was stated by Ostap Palchevskyi, Commercial Director of Akris Agro LLC (AST Group), who emphasized that the introduction of GM raw materials threatens Ukraine’s unique competitive edge — its status as a non-GMO producer with a strong reputation in premium markets.

“The actual presence of GM rapeseed on the market will inevitably lead to contamination of non-GMO batches through cross-pollination and technical mixing. It’s only a matter of time before lobbying begins to legalize its cultivation in Ukraine, and then we risk losing our position in the European market,” Palchevskyi noted. According to him, such a move is not only economically unjustified but also politically dangerous, as it undermines Ukraine’s agricultural independence and weakens its negotiating position in international trade.

Tags: Ukraine, rapeseed