Ukraine discusses restoring agriculture ministry for EU integration

Ukraine’s agro-industrial sector requires a dedicated ministry to ensure successful integration into the European Union.

This opinion was expressed during an expert discussion by Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU, according to the parliament’s press service.

She noted that agriculture is one of the largest areas of regulation within EU law and one of the most integrated, regulated, and financially protected sectors in the European Union’s legal and budgetary framework, which is based on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). EU agricultural legislation is governed by primary law (Articles 38–44 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) and a vast body of secondary legislation, including regulations and directives.

Aligning Ukrainian legislation with EU standards is a complex and multifaceted process. The committee chair stressed that it involves not only the formal adoption of legal acts but also ensuring their effective implementation. In addition, the introduction of stringent European standards requires significant investments from small and medium-sized farms. Another major challenge is the shortage of specialists capable of working under the new requirements, including precision agriculture agronomists and experts in EU legislation.

At the same time, Klympush-Tsintsadze believes that Ukrainian agriculture needs a substantial strengthening of the human and technical capacities of sector-specific ministries and regulatory bodies overseeing the industry.

“It was a serious mistake to once again merge the Ministry of Agrarian Policy with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Environment. To conduct a real and effective dialogue with EU member states, we need a dedicated minister for the sector and a ministry with the capacity to develop effective public policy,” Klympush-Tsintsadze said

Tags: Ukraine, EU