Eurointegration of the Agricultural Sector: Parliament Identified Main Risks and Needs of the Industry
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the European Union emphasized the need to strengthen support for the agricultural sector in the process of adapting to EU standards. This was discussed during the expert discussion "The overall state of Ukraine's EU membership process, as well as the prospects for improving the sector's condition in addressing the problems of adapting the agri-food sector to EU standards."
The Committee stressed that agriculture is one of the most regulated areas under European Union law. The sector is based on the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and is governed by both primary law norms and a significant body of secondary legislation, including regulations and directives.
It is noted that aligning Ukrainian legislation with EU standards is a complex and multifaceted process. It involves not only adopting the necessary legal acts but also creating mechanisms for their effective implementation and practical application.
At the same time, implementing European standards requires significant financial resources, especially from small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises. Many producers do not have enough own funds to modernize production and bring it into compliance with EU requirements, so they need access to grant programs and preferential lending.
A separate problem remains the shortage of specialists capable of working according to new standards. This concerns, in particular, agronomists in the field of precision farming, as well as experts knowledgeable in European legislation and its practical application.
The Committee also believes that Ukrainian agriculture needs a significant strengthening of the personnel and technical capacity of relevant ministries and state bodies responsible for implementing agricultural policy and eurointegration reforms.
Furthermore, during the discussion, the opinion was expressed that for effective negotiations with EU member countries and the formation of quality state policy, the agricultural sector requires a separate specialized ministry with appropriate institutional capabilities.
"In order to conduct a real effective dialogue with EU member countries, we need a minister for this sector and a real capacity of a ministry that could develop effective state policy," the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU stated.
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