Ukraine must agree with the EU on the pace of implementation of European rules so as not to harm agribusiness, – Kachka

Ukraine needs to agree with the European Union on the optimal pace of implementing European regulatory norms so that access to EU markets does not pose threats to domestic agribusiness.

This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka during the regional dialogue “Agricultural Sector on the Path to the EU: Where We Are and What Lies Ahead”.

“We have many regulatory matters that need to be systematically implemented. And the task of our negotiating team is to find the pace at which we can implement these matters as quickly as possible, but without negative consequences for Ukrainian producers,” Kachka noted.

He emphasized that the integration of the Ukrainian agricultural sector into EU markets depends on the administrative readiness of the state and the readiness of business to work according to new rules. This is about effective interaction of government institutions with European structures and the ability of agricultural producers to work in accordance with European standards.

The Deputy Prime Minister also drew attention to the political context of the European integration of the agricultural sector, noting that there is a certain skepticism in the EU regarding Ukrainian farmers, as Ukraine is often used in internal discussions about supporting farmers.

At the same time, he emphasized that it is key for Ukraine to prove its ability to effectively transition to European standards. In particular, in the field of plant protection products, a too rapid and uncoordinated transition may cause a shortage of drugs that are not yet available on the Ukrainian market. According to Kachka, Ukraine is actively explaining these risks to the European Commission.

Separately, the Deputy Prime Minister focused on the issues of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, which provides for a system of regulation, support and subsidization of agriculture. Kachka reported that a Paying Agency has already been established in Ukraine, which will be responsible for the administration, control and distribution of state and donor financial support to farmers in accordance with EU standards.

“Now our task is to fill it with money and build financial support for the agricultural sector,” the Deputy Prime Minister summarized.

Tags: EU, Ukraine