Ukraine and EU begin screening for final cluster on agriculture

On 8 September, Ukraine launched screening meetings with the European Commission for Negotiation Chapter 11, “Agriculture and Rural Development,” part of Cluster 5, “Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion Policy.” This cluster is the final segment of bilateral screening meetings. Ukraine has already completed bilateral sessions for Clusters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

The meetings for Chapter 11 will run for three days until 10 September, conducted in a hybrid format (with negotiators participating 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. Representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine are also participating.

In his speech, Taras Kachka underscored the strategic importance of agricultural policy in Ukraine’s EU accession process:

“It is clear that agricultural policy is one of the most critical areas in these negotiations. That’s why we are giving it special attention. Ukraine’s agricultural policy has been transforming for years, updating and modernising its practices, enabling us to actively align with the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. This screening session is not a starting point but a culmination of years of cooperation with the EU. We know our strengths, we understand the challenges, and today we have the opportunity to lay the foundation for further integration of Ukraine’s agricultural sector into the EU’s common policy.”

On the first day, 8 September, the Ukrainian and European Commission delegations discussed:

• Principles, strategies, and directions for developing Ukraine’s agricultural policy;
• Support schemes for the agricultural sector and other forms of assistance;
• National policy for supporting rural development;
• Financing of agricultural expenditures in Ukraine and their monitoring system;
• Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS): current status and development plans;
• Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN): current status and next steps;
• Processed products.

Chapter 11, “Agriculture and Rural Development,” covers numerous mandatory regulations, most of which will take effect in Ukraine upon EU accession without requiring additional legislative acts. Proper implementation, effective enforcement, and oversight by a professional public administration are critical for the functioning of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Background

Ukraine has prepared all necessary steps to open three negotiation clusters: “Fundamentals of the Accession Process,” “Internal Market,” and “External Relations,” and awaits the corresponding decision from the EU Council. Three transformation roadmaps have been prepared and approved in the areas of rule of law, public administration reform, and the functioning of democratic institutions (approval of two is a prerequisite for opening membership negotiations with Ukraine under Cluster 1). Additionally, negotiation positions for these three clusters have been approved.

Ukraine has also successfully completed bilateral screening meetings for two other negotiation clusters: “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth” and “Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity.”