Ukraine and the Netherlands Discussed Agri-Sector Integration into the EU at the Third UANLAD Dialogue
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On 30–31 March 2026, the Third Ukraine–The Netherlands Agricultural Dialogue (UANLAD) took place in Breda, the Netherlands. The event was co-organized by the Public Union “Ukrainian National Agrarian Forum” (UNAF), which includes UCAB, and the Netherlands agricultural and horticultural organization LTO Nederland, with the support and encouragement of the Ministries of Agriculture of both countries.
The dialogue was attended by Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka, UNAF Director Mariia Didukh, LTO President Ger Koopmans, as well as representatives of the governments of Ukraine and the Netherlands.
The discussion focused on the state of Ukrainian agriculture amid the war and the challenges of integration into the EU Internal Market. In particular, participants addressed the expected outcomes of Ukraine’s European integration, the pace of implementing EU standards in plant and animal health, animal welfare issues in Ukraine, and cooperation in combating the spread of animal diseases.
As a result of the meeting, the parties reached the following key conclusions:
- Integration of the Ukrainian agricultural sector into the EU could strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy in critical agricultural products essential for food security.
- Ukrainian and Dutch agri-food production can complement each other, creating synergies and enhancing the competitiveness of both countries’ products on European and global markets.
- While full-scale Russian aggression continues, maintaining open but managed trade in agri-food products between the EU and Ukraine is crucial for the economic resilience of the Ukrainian agricultural sector.
- The Dutch side supports the need for continued assistance to Ukrainian farmers, as well as the introduction of transition periods and derogations on Ukraine’s path to EU membership, along with appropriate access to the EU market and the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
