Why EU's soil policy is a challenge for Ukrainian farmers and how to overcome it
Ukraine's path to EU integration is a complex process that requires extensive reforms.
Approximately 40% of the standards and regulations Ukraine must align with EU legislation pertain to agriculture. Ukrainian farmers need to start preparing for these changes now.
The EU’s agricultural legislation encompasses a broad spectrum of policies, standards, and rules aimed at enhancing market integration, environmental sustainability and the socio-economic development of rural areas. Among these are soil-related standards and norms.
Read more in the column by Vladyslav Bolokhovskyi, CEO and co-founder of the BTU Biotech company – Soil protection as a condition for joining EU: What changes Ukrainian farmers should prepare for.
The author highlights five main strategies adopted by the EU to ensure soil protection:
The EU Soil Strategy for 2030 establishes timelines and specific measures to protect and restore soils, ensuring their sustainable use.
The new EU Soil Strategy is closely linked to and forms part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. This comprehensive and long-term plan aims to protect nature, with the restoration of agricultural ecosystems and soil conservation as key objectives.
According to the document, by 2030, EU member states must restore at least 30% of their territories by designating them as protected areas.
Another ambitious initiative from Brussels is the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe a climate-neutral continent by 2050. This means all greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity will be absorbed by ecosystems.
The EU Climate Strategy supports the Green Deal by targeting a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
The Farm to Fork Strategy, part of the Green Deal, focuses on creating sustainable food systems within the EU.
"The Farm to Fork Strategy, Soil Strategy, Biodiversity Strategy, Climate Strategy, and the European Green Deal aim to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, transition to organic fertilisers, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable soil use," notes Vladyslav Bolokhovskyi.
In his view, these European standards create both new opportunities and certain challenges for Ukraine's agricultural sector.
To address these challenges, Bolokhovskyi advises that every farmer should begin transitioning to soil-preserving technologies, biological crop management, and eco-friendly waste recycling practices. These efforts align with the principles of a circular economy.
One possible approach for Ukrainian farmers in this context is the active use of biopreparations that meet European standards and help reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and mineral fertilisers.
"The implementation of EU environmental policies depends on Ukraine's readiness to invest in eco-friendly technologies and actively support farmers on this path," said the CEO and co-founder of the BTU Biotech company group.
According to him, Ukrainian farmers are already striving to meet EU environmental standards.
Some Ukrainian agricultural producers recognise the need for transition, investing, modernising and moving away from chemicals banned in the EU. Others face economic challenges and continue to operate using traditional methods without adopting new technologies.
"Nevertheless, we understand that transitioning to new standards will be necessary, and this transition and preparation may become the biggest challenge for Ukrainian agricultural producers," the author noted.