Key challenges related to the implementation of European Union norms in the agricultural sector, the need for a gradual transition to EU standards, and support instruments for Ukrainian producers during the integration process were the main topics of a meeting between the Board of the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC) and Oleksandr Kornienko, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The meeting was also attended by Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and Oleksandr Kovalchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy.

UAC representatives emphasized the importance of a balanced and phased approach to integrating the agricultural sector into the EU and expressed concern within the farming community regarding the possibility of Ukraine’s rapid accession — tentatively by 2027 — given the scale of adaptation required to meet EU standards.

“Without a clear financial and economic transition model — including calculations of the cost of implementing European production standards and defining compensation mechanisms — there are risks of creating a crisis situation in a sector that is strategic for Ukraine’s economy,” stated Andrii Dykun, Chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC).

Oleksandr Kornienko stressed that the EU integration negotiation group is aware of the potential risks and the sensitivity of this issue for the agricultural sector.

According to him, the traditional EU accession model required a candidate country to fully meet all conditions and close negotiation clusters before a membership decision was adopted. However, a different approach is currently under discussion — making a political decision on accession first, followed by a phased implementation of obligations.

“Such an approach makes it possible to regulate the pace of adaptation based on national interests and provides greater flexibility in resolving complex issues for both Ukraine and EU member states,” Oleksandr Kornienko emphasized.

Taras Vysotskyi supported this position, noting that for the agricultural sector such a model opens opportunities to carefully coordinate integration terms, synchronizing the transition to EU standards with access to support instruments, particularly within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The parties agreed to continue professional consultations in an expanded format — with the participation of Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine — in order to thoroughly discuss the needs and challenges of the agricultural sector in the context of European integration and preparation for EU membership.

The Ukrainian Agri Council expresses its gratitude for the understanding of the specific nature of small and medium-sized agribusiness operations at the highest state level and for the open and constructive dialogue.