“Pressure and aggressive lobbying”: MEP says EU farm lobby Is twisting Ukraine’s arm

The agricultural lobby in the European Union is exerting unprecedented pressure in an attempt to limit the integration of Ukrainian agri-exporters into the single market. This was stated by Swedish Member of the European Parliament Karin Karlsbro.

“In all my years in the European Parliament, I have never encountered such aggressive lobbying as around agricultural issues,” Karlsbro said.

She emphasized that despite the activity of the agricultural lobby, the majority in the European Parliament and EU member states continues to support Ukraine’s further trade integration. According to Karlsbro, trade has become Ukraine’s “economic lifeline” since 2022, and every euro earned from exports helps finance the country’s defense.

“We keep asking the agricultural lobby in Brussels to provide facts and figures proving that Ukrainian agriculture poses a threat. But there is no such data,” she added.

“Trade with Ukraine has not created serious challenges for the EU market. On the contrary, Ukrainian products have been essential in filling gaps — for example, in sugar supplies. Overall, trade has been beneficial for the EU, with a surplus of €18 billion,” the MEP said.

Tags: Ukraine, EU, agricultural products, restrictions, agricultural sector