{"id":3493,"date":"2024-05-30T11:39:41","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T08:39:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dossier.org.ua\/news\/discussion-2024-1-results\/"},"modified":"2024-05-30T21:20:24","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T18:20:24","slug":"discussion-2024-1-results","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.dossier.org.ua\/en\/news\/discussion-2024-1-results\/","title":{"rendered":"European Integration for Ukraine: What will a Carpathian farmer get?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Conclusions of the discussion<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The negotiation process on Ukraine’s accession to the EU has actually started. The European Commission is holding consultations on all issues of EU legislation, including agricultural ones. Ukraine has to join in nearest future the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a flexible and constantly changing mechanism. We need to develop a national strategic plan in the frame of the CAP taking into account the requirements of the European Green Deal, which is already part of the CAP.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How will this affect the Carpathian sheep herdersand cheese makers, beekeepers and winemakers, berry and mushroom harvesters, or producers of Carpathian tea? Which changes will it bring, if any?\u00a0 Are our small farmers already approaching European standards? Will European legislation help to strengthen farms and protect the Carpathian lands and mountains?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 16 May, the Green Dossier Information Centre held a discussion “European Integration for Ukraine: What will a Carpathian farmer get?” (in the frame of the project \u201cGreen and Inclusive Agricultural Policy \u2013Steps Towards\u201dsupported by the\u00a0Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention<\/a> and financing by the\u00a0European Union<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0International Renaissance Foundation<\/a>\u00a0within the framework \u00abEuropean Renaissance of Ukraine\u00bb project).<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Our experts explained the requirements of European legislation and benefits from the new coming rules and standards, while Carpathian farmers shared their needs and expectations.  The Carpathian farmers discussed how European integration would impact them, and what challenges and opportunities would arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The participants of our discussion platform and the project itself are very different. Some have a small household in the mountains, while others represent a powerful professional association. Some already offer unique products with a geographical indication certificate or an organic label, while others sell raw produce at a low cost during the season. Some already have decent profits from exporting their products, while others do not want to go beyond their local market. What they all have in common is that they are aware that EU standards will change their business practices and living conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite some expectations, the panellists’ conclusions were quite optimistic, shedding light on many opportunities that EU accession will bring, the possibilities of overcoming challenges and the readiness of farmers to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European integration will have a positive impact on farmers, the participants believe. That is especially clear for those who <\/strong>are familiar with the experience of other Eastern\/central European EU countries.<\/strong><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The main<\/strong> conclusions<\/strong> of the discussion<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n