Ukraine will adapt its agriculture. There is an agreement on the new trade agreement

The Commissioner for Trade Marosz Główczovicz announced on Monday that the European Commission and Ukraine pre -agreed on the new trade agreement. The agreement covers Ukraine's obligation to gradually adapt agricultural production standards to EU standards up to 2028.

“This agreement opens a new chapter in EU -Ukraine trade relations. It defines long -term, predictable and mutual framework, beneficial for exporters, enterprises and farmers on both sides and strengthens Ukraine's path to membership in the EU” – noted the Commissioner.

As he said, “this is a strong signal of Ukraine's unwavering support”, as well as a response to the fears expressed by the Member States, farmers and food producers.

The bosses emphasized that the key element of the agreement includes the obligation of Ukraine to gradually adapt agricultural production standards to EU standards up to 2028. It is about, for example, animal welfare and pesticides.

The contract also contains – as he added – the “solid mechanism” of EU markets, especially in areas where imports from Ukraine could cause serious difficulties for the Member States.

In June 2022, the EU temporarily decided to endure duties and quantitative limits for agricultural products from Ukraine. This decision was made in response to the Russian invasion and was aimed at supporting Ukraine in the face of higher export costs through the EU after Russia threatened the safety of traditional shipping trails in the Black Sea.

At the beginning of June, however, these trade preferences were suspended. The reason was protests in EU countries adjacent to Ukraine, especially in Poland, caused by excessive influx of cheaper Ukrainian grain, poultry and sugar.

As a result, the EU returned to the commercial agreement before the war with Ukraine, re -introducing customs and quantitative limits to some agricultural products. The EC said that this agreement would apply until the new agreement with Ukraine is negotiated.

Depressed bosses explained that the protective mechanism in the new contract consists of, among others On the fact that imported commercial amounts from Ukraine in the case of sensitive products, such as eggs, sugar and wheat, increased, but remain below “historical trade volumes” to ensure the stability of the EU market. Poultry, honey and corn were also included in sensitive products.

Meanwhile, Ukraine will increase the amounts for pork, poultry and sugar exports and will reduce or eliminate duties to other products. As the Commissioner said, this will increase the export capabilities of European farmers, especially in Member States neighboring Ukraine.

The EU agricultural commissioner Christophe Hansen said at a press conference that in the case of some products full liberalization was agreed, for example dairy products such as powder milk and fermented milk, but also fungi and grape juice.

The agreement still requires technical issues.

The result of these negotiations will still have to be approved by both parties in relevant procedures. In the case of the EU, the contract will have to be supported by Member States as part of the EU Council.

From Brussels Łukasz Osiński (PAP)

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