Key Meetings in Brussels
Dykun met with:
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Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
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Representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee
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Leaders of agricultural associations and national farmers’ unions
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Experts from scientific and analytical institutions
They discussed:
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Ukraine’s EU Integration Roadmap
– Phasing Ukrainian farm standards into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
– Establishing a multi‑year transition period to align environmental and production rules. -
Financing for Small and Medium‑Sized Farms
– Leveraging the Ukraine Facility Plan to provide targeted loans and grants.
– Designing support programs that bolster resilience without disrupting EU markets. -
Strategic Role of Food Security
– Recognizing Ukraine’s vast agricultural capacity as central to the EU’s strategic autonomy.
– Ensuring uninterrupted grain and oilseed supplies amid conflict pressures.
The Case for a Transition Period
“Given the ongoing military situation, Ukraine cannot immediately meet EU environmental and safety standards—our water, soil, and air are polluted, and we lack sufficient machinery and energy resources,” Dykun explained. He stressed that a structured transition period is vital, allowing Ukrainian farmers time to upgrade equipment, adopt new practices, and recover from wartime losses.
Bridging the Information Gap
Despite widespread recognition of Ukraine’s importance to global food security, Dykun warned that many European policymakers remain unfamiliar with the real structure of Ukrainian agriculture. “Even after three years of active outreach, Europeans still don’t fully understand the scale, productivity, and challenges of our farm sector,” he said. This knowledge gap, he argued, poses the biggest obstacle to seamless EU accession.
Next Steps and Acknowledgements
VAR expressed gratitude to its international partners for enabling these professional exchanges. Moving forward, Dykun called for:
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Ongoing dialogue through workshops and field visits.
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Targeted educational events in Brussels and across EU capitals.
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Joint research initiatives to map Ukrainian agribusiness capabilities.
By intensifying information‑sharing and collaboration, Ukraine and the EU can pave the way for a smoother integration of Ukrainian agriculture into Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy—ensuring stability for farmers on both sides of the border.
