European Agriculture Commissioner Hansen stresses that the accession process of Ukraine is more complex than often assumed. According to him, it is not just the harmonization of agricultural standards under discussion, but also how farmers' organizations in Ukraine must adapt. A swift agreement seems unlikely, he says.
European agricultural organizations fear that too rapid liberalization of trade could pressure prices and competitive positions. At the same time, they stress the importance of solidarity with Ukraine given the current geopolitical situation and regional tensions.
A recent opinion poll in Ukraine showed that a slight majority of the population prefers rapid membership in NATO over the European Union.
In various EU countries, farmers’ organizations fear competition from cheap Ukrainian import products. They want assurance that European farmers will not be disadvantaged due to lower production costs in Ukraine. Therefore, they request the European Commission to take additional measures, such as market surveillance and financial support.
Conversely, Ukrainian farmers fear that a hasty implementation of EU rules could hit them hard. They are already facing financial uncertainties and limited investment opportunities and argue that they need time to comply with stricter food safety and environmental requirements. Without careful phasing, their competitive position could significantly deteriorate.
Ukrainian agricultural companies also express concern over the postponement of further negotiations with the EU. They fear that political tensions and internal European debates over agricultural policy could hinder progress, including due to quarrels and procedural fuss in Brussels over agriculture.
The Ukrainian government recently pointed out the need for a joint roadmap to accelerate the talks. At the same time, both Kyiv and Brussels emphasize that coordination on desired and necessary agricultural reforms is indispensable.