Preparing Ukraine's Farmers for EU Accession – Part I

Aerial view of a tractor pulling a grain cart crossing a two-toned field of dark plowed soil and golden crop stubble.

Overview

Ukraine’s agriculture sector is facing a particularly daunting series of challenges – and this is particularly true for the country’s small- and medium-sized farms. Foremost among these is, of course, the economic, environmental, and institutional consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion.

In addition, Ukraine’s path to EU membership means that farmers are required to comply with new environmental rules set out in the European Green Deal (EGD). These cover a range of areas, including pesticide use, nutrient management, and biodiversity protection, among others.

Part I of this report explores what the EGD and the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy require in practice, and what small farmers will need to meet those requirements without being left behind.