In the process of European integration, Ukraine's agricultural sector will face new challenges. One of them will be the transition to the European list of permitted plant protection products (PPPs), which provides for the ban of about 100 active substances that are currently widely used in agricultural enterprises. The introduction of European restrictions on the use of PPPs poses significant economic risks for Ukrainian farmers: it will significantly affect both the yield and the profitability of producers.

The Ukrainian Agri Council, together with the Analytical Center “Smart Country”, conducted a year-long study entitled “Economic assessment of losses resulting from the application of European restrictions on active substances in PPPs”. The results were presented on September 5 at an open webinar for farmers.

According to the calculations presented, the annual minimum losses to Ukraine's agricultural sector from the transition to the European list of permitted PPPs will exceed USD 500 million. Of these:

• the reduction in crop value will amount to USD 202.7 million;
• the increase in expenditure on plant protection products will amount to USD 297.6 million;
• increase in the cost of applying plant protection products — USD 7.6 million.

During the presentation of the results, Deputy Chairman of the UAC Mykhailo Sokolov emphasized the scale of potential losses:

"Every year, the Ukrainian agricultural sector will lose at least USD 500 million. The decline in agricultural production profitability will be up to 30%, depending on the crop. This is very significant and may lead to a shift in the break-even point, with many farms operating at a loss in unfavorable years. Medium and small farmers will be most affected by the innovations."

Of particular concern is the impact of European restrictions on certain crops that are the main ones to Ukrainian agricultural exports.

"For rapeseed, winter wheat, and sunflower, we have a significant problem with this prohibition. These losses account for a significant portion of the profits from their cultivation. Moreover, the further accelerated growth of pest resistance and their spread, due to insufficient control by permitted preparations, may make their production completely unprofitable. In this regard, it is very symptomatic that European processors are forced to import rapeseed from Ukraine because European farmers are no longer able to meet the demand for it," emphasized Mykhailo Sokolov.

Viktor Shvartau, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, thanked the authors of the study for their serious analytical material and emphasized the critical risks that reducing the list of plant protection products could cause.

"When we talk about pesticides, we must take into account that, although they can be dangerous, the consequences of the diseases they fight against are even more dangerous. Today, the topic of resistance has been raised several times. I think that very soon we will face a situation where there will not only be multi-resistance, but the introduction of any active substance will lead to resistance to all pesticides. We must be very cautious about trying to prohibit anything. The amounts cited in the study are very serious, but we could lose much more. It is difficult to even imagine how far the process of decay in domestic crop production could go. And crop production is the foundation of our country's life: its economy, food security, and military stability," the scientist warned.

Vladyslav Sedyk, an expert of the Analytical Center “Smart Country”, joined the discussion and emphasized that farmers need to be active:

“It is important for us that the voice of farmers is heard and reflected in Ukraine's negotiation processes.”

The UAC calls on farmers to carefully evaluate the results of the study, correlate them with their own businesses, and join in forming a common position for the industry. The comments and suggestions collected will form the basis for further dialogue with the Ministry of Economy. The goal of this process is to ensure a smooth transition to European rules and preserve the agricultural sector as a key budget-generating industry in Ukraine.