Ukraine, Germany agree to expand cooperation in agricultural sector, establish working group to support reforms
Ukraine and Germany are expanding cooperation in the forestry, food, and agricultural sectors, including seed production, biomethane, and aligning the agricultural sector with EU standards, the press service of the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture reported.
"It is important for us that Ukrainian agricultural producers operate under EU standards, which will help ensure fair competition and strengthen global food security. We are jointly working on the development of high-quality vocational education and enhancing the food safety system. We have laid the groundwork for joint projects in biomethane production and sustainable forest management," Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Oleksiy Sobolev said following a meeting with his German counterpart, Alois Rainer.
During the talks, the parties agreed on a number of new bilateral initiatives foreseeing the expansion of the Agricultural Policy Dialogue (APD). The updated format of cooperation foresees joint conferences and study tours focused on irrigation, dairy processing, and seed production. Strengthened cooperation is also planned between Ukraine’s State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection and Germany’s Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), with the involvement of German institutions such as BfR and FLI.
For his part, Germany’s Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Alois Rainer emphasized the importance of aligning legal frameworks.
"Equal legal frameworks and standards are the foundation for balanced and fair competition. We have a clear vision of a sustainable and forward-looking European agricultural market and want to shape it together," Rainer said.
The introduction of new technologies and innovations in the woodworking industry will form the basis of cooperation in the forestry sector, which is critical for Ukraine’s economic development.
The parties will establish a high-level working group to coordinate reforms in agriculture and the food industry, with the participation of representatives from ministries, parliamentary committees, the European Commission, as well as business associations and research institutions.