Ukraine begins screening for Chapter 12: Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy

In Brussels, a bilateral meeting between Ukraine and the European Commission commenced as part of the official screening of Ukraine’s legislation alignment with EU law under Chapter 12: Food Safety, Veterinary, and Phytosanitary Policy.

The Ukrainian delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka. The delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, headed by Deputy Minister Taras Vysotskyi, as well as officials from the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, the Ministry of Health, and Ukrainian Members of Parliament.

In his opening remarks, Taras Vysotskyi expressed gratitude to the European Commission for its consistent support and open, constructive dialogue. He noted that this partnership has played a vital role in Ukraine’s European integration path, despite significant challenges facing the agricultural sector.

The Deputy Minister of Economy emphasised that Chapter 12 covers a critical area fundamental to protecting consumer rights, animal and plant health, and the functioning of the internal market.

“The consistent alignment of Ukrainian legislation with EU standards in food safety, veterinary, and phytosanitary policies will significantly enhance public health protection and boost competitiveness. To this end, we aim to closely cooperate with the European Commission, exchange expertise, and seek expert support to achieve full compliance with EU requirements as swiftly as possible. Progress in this area will safeguard public health and strengthen trust among consumers and trade partners,” Taras Vysotskyi underscored.

On the first day, the Ukrainian side presented a detailed overview of the alignment of national legislation in food safety, veterinary, and phytosanitary measures with EU law. Key topics discussed included:

• Alignment with the EU acquis on food safety standards;
• The veterinary sector, including animal health and welfare, official controls on animal-derived products, and the importance of robust systems for disease prevention, surveillance, and control;
• The phytosanitary sector, covering plant health, seeds, planting material, and systems to prevent the spread of harmful organisms.

“We are demonstrating a systematic and sustained approach to reforms in food safety, veterinary, and phytosanitary policy. This process is complex but irreversible, and we are ready for further work,” Taras Vysotskyi stressed.

Background

In autumn 2025, Ukraine is undergoing official screening for EU accession under Cluster 5: Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion Policy. This includes screenings for three negotiation chapters: 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development), 12 (Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy), and 13 (Fisheries and Aquaculture), as well as 22 (Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments) and 33 (Financial and Budgetary Provisions).

Cluster 5 is the final of six clusters in the bilateral screening process, encompassing five negotiation chapters: 11, 12, 13, 22, and 33. The screening outcomes will inform a plan for further implementation of EU regulations into Ukrainian legislation. The screening marks the start of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.