On January 21, 2024, a working meeting was held in the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy with the first Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Taras Vysotskyi, to review and discuss the European Commission’s questionnaire and the list of European Union legal acts. This was done as part of the official screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU law under negotiation chapters 11 “Agriculture and Rural Development”, 12 “Food security, Veterinary and Phytosanitary policy”, 13 “Fishery and Maritime affairs” with the aim to prepare for a bilateral meeting between Ukraine and the European Commission, tentatively scheduled for September 2025.
During the meeting, priority issues and legislative initiatives were outlined, requiring development, registration, and adoption to fulfill Ukraine’s obligations for the implementation of EU law.
In particular, it was noted that for Chapter 11, “Agriculture and Rural Development,” it is crucial for the Government to introduce and for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to adopt a draft law on the Payment Agency. This law is included in the “Ukraine Facility” and must align with the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union regarding the development and support of farming.
At the same time, under Chapter 12, “Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy”, the Government is expected to submit draft laws regulating issues related to GMOs, organic production, a fundamental draft law on control, veterinary medicine and animal welfare, pesticides, agrochemicals etc.
In addition, under the tasks of Chapter 13, “Fishery and Maritime Affairs,” it is planned to review the registered government draft law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on the Implementation of European Union Legislation in the Field of Fisheries”, which is designed to define the fundamental principles of state policy regarding the tasks, goals, and principles of the EU Common Fisheries Policy and its implementation.
Moreover, it is planned to develop and further registration of legislative initiatives concerning control in the fisheries sector and fishery science.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, Oleksandr Haidu; the Head of the Subcommittee on the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to the Provisions of European Union Law (EU acquis) and the Fulfillment of Ukraine’s International Legal Obligations in the Sphere of European Integration, Maryna Nikitina; the Head of the Subcommittee on Social Policy in the Agro-Industrial Complex, Rural Development, Science, and Education, Dmytro Kostiuk; the Head of the Secretariat of the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, Oleksandr Starynets; and staff members of the Secretariat.
