UCAB welcomes the vote in the European Parliament international trade (INTA) committee taken today in Brussels to support the proposal of the European Commission to extend for another year the existing EU additional trade preferences for Ukraine. It is a strong signal of EU solidarity with Ukraine and a clear demonstration of strategic vision from the part of the European Parliament of the importance of agricultural exports as the single most important source of Ukraine’s export revenues. Without trade, the Ukrainian economy may collapse, and Ukrainian agriculture is that pillar of stability which contributes to the country’s macroeconomic stability and resilience in times of war. 

“A big ‘Thank You’ is what Ukrainian farmers and the Ukrainian citizens at large are saying now to the European Parliament members about their decision”, - Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) President Alex Lissitsa said about the vote. 

Even though the proposal introduces safeguards for three Ukrainian import products, namely poultry, sugar and eggs, it is clear that these measures were introduced as an important compromise gesture from the EU institutions to the concerns of the European farmers. The UCAB members understand the reasons even as we believe Ukrainian imports can hardly be blamed for the difficulties European agricultural producers experience, due to their relatively minor share in the EU market, as well as other powerful global factors at play which affect the livelihoods of the European farmers. It is russia’s war on Ukraine and russia’s manipulation of food as a weapon in Europe and globally who are real culprits of the situation. 

UCAB members and the Ukrainian agricultural community at large look forward to the speedy conclusion of the legislation process and the official extension of the EU trade preferences, as Ukraine needs every measure of support it gets in its fight for independence and European values. UCAB also continues reaching out to partner organizations representing the European agrifood sector to discuss prospects and challenges associated with the future Ukraine’s accession to the EU for European agriculture.