On July 9, at 2:00 p.m., a press conference "Unfair excise tax: how new fuel taxes destroy the competitiveness of Ukrainian farmers" is held.

Organizers: Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC) and Association "Ukrainian Club of Agribusiness".

Speakers:

• Maria Didukh, Director of the Ukrainian Agrarian Forum;
• Denys Marchuk, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Agri Council;
• Oleh Khomenko, General Director of UCAB.

In the near future, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will vote in the second reading on the draft Law No. 11256-2 "On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine on the Implementation of the Provisions of the European Union Excise Tax Acts", which provides for an increase in the excise tax on diesel fuel from EUR139 euros to EUR330 per thousand liters by 2028 for public roads that are not used by field equipment.

Domestic farmers have already paid twice as much excise tax as their European competitors, and will pay five times more.

During the press conference, representatives of the largest agricultural associations of Ukraine will explain how this tax increase will affect the activities of agricultural enterprises and the cost of agricultural production. They will also discuss the implications for the competitiveness of Ukrainian farmers in the European market. The speakers will provide a comparative analysis of the tax burden on farmers in Ukraine and Eastern European countries, where the excise tax on diesel fuel is much lower. A joint appeal to the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is also planned.

The event will be held offline.

Media accreditation: +380 66 754 41 29 (Natalia Pavlova).

The event will be broadcasted on Ukrinform's website and YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/UkrinformTV.