We acknowledge today’s announcement on the updated trade agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. Our sectors require certainty, predictability, and a genuine level playing field to remain viable.
While we support Ukraine’s economic resilience and its European future during this difficult time, at this stage, considering the limited information provided, we can only hope that the final outcome of the agreement announced today fully considers and respects the sensitivities of EU farmers and manufacturers. In that sense, we urge the European Commission to make all details of this agreement available as soon as possible to the public.
While we look positively on some aspects presented today concerning the alignment of standards and safeguard mechanisms, including also the impact on Member State level, we remain concerned on the outcome on the protection of sensitive sectors, and the potential exclusion of some productions, such as barley or ethanol, from such mechanisms.
We eagerly await the full details of this new agreement in principle for further analysis and meanwhile wish to underline that a sustainable and fair partnership with Ukraine must protect both our farmers and manufacturers and our shared long-term goals.
On behalf of the following associations:
AVEC – Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU countries
CEFS – European Association of Sugar Manufacturers
CEPM – European Confederation of Maize Production
CIBE – International Confederation of European Beet Growers
COPA-COGECA – The united voice of farmers and their cooperatives in the European Union
ePURE – European Renewable Ethanol Association
EUWEP – European Union of Wholesale with Eggs, Egg Products, Poultry and Game
iEthanol – European Industrial and Beverage Ethanol Association
Fonte: Copa Cogeca
