Ukraine starts five-day screening with EU on food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policies
On 15 September, Ukraine launched bilateral screening meetings with the European Commission under Chapter 12, "Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy,” part of Cluster 5, "Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion Policy." This cluster marks the final segment of Ukraine’s screening process with the European Commission.
The meetings for Chapter 12 will run from 15 to 19 September in a hybrid format (online and in-person in Brussels, Belgium). The Ukrainian delegation is led by Chief Negotiator and Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, who is participating online.
Representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, as well as Ukrainian Members of Parliament, are also taking part.
In his opening remarks, Taras Kachka highlighted that Chapter 12 is among the most complex in accession negotiations, as it addresses areas directly impacting societal life.
“Over 15 years ago, Ukraine made a strategic choice to develop its food safety and veterinary policies based on EU rules and principles. Our modern legislative framework is built on European standards, which is why we confirm our readiness to fully adopt the acquis within this chapter. At the same time, determining the pace and sequence of adapting new measures remains a key task,” he emphasised.
On the first day, 15 September, the Ukrainian delegation presented progress in animal health. Discussions covered legislation, administrative structures, animal identification systems, official laboratories, disease prevention and eradication programmes, control of animal and animal product movements, handling of animal by-products, and animal welfare measures.
A separate session addressed the implementation of EU Regulation 2017/625, focusing on competent authority systems, task delegation, staff training, analysis methods, certification, funding of control measures, and import control systems.
Throughout the week, key topics will include biosafety, animal feed, human nutrition, veterinary medicines, animal welfare, novel food technologies and products, pesticide residues, general food legislation, phytosanitary measures, GMOs, and sustainable pesticide use.
Ukraine expressed gratitude to the European Commission and EU Member States for their consistent support in both accession negotiations and the reform process towards membership.
Background
Chapter 12, "Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy,” encompasses detailed EU rules on food safety. EU policy in this area sets hygiene requirements for food production and includes comprehensive veterinary regulations critical for protecting animal health and welfare, as well as the safety of animal-derived food products in the internal market. In the phytosanitary domain, EU rules cover seed quality, plant protection products, pest control, and animal feed.
In September 2025, Ukraine is undergoing official screening for EU accession under Cluster 5, "Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion Policy." This includes screenings for five negotiation chapters:
- Chapter 11: Agriculture and Rural Development
- Chapter 12: Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy
- Chapter 13: Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Chapter 22: Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments
- Chapter 33: Financial and Budgetary Provisions
Cluster 5 is the final of six clusters in the bilateral screening process.
Ukraine has already prepared to open three negotiation clusters – “Fundamentals,” “Internal Market,” and “External Relations” – and awaits the relevant decision from the EU Council. Ukraine has also successfully completed bilateral screening meetings for two other clusters: “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth” and “Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity.”
The screening process marks the start of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.