Poland and other countries bordering on or situated close to Ukraine adopted a joint declaration in which they expressed their expectations towards bilateral and gradual liberalisation of agri-food trade with Ukraine.

– We fully declare our support for Ukraine. It is our joint responsibility as a European community. However, we must not allow a situation where the burden of this solidarity rests almost exclusively on one professional group – farmers, particularly those from countries bordering on Ukraine. Poland is not opposed to trade cooperation with Ukraine. Nevertheless, it must take place according to fair, transparent and mutually beneficial principles – stressed Minister Siekierski in Budapest.

Context of the meeting

The meeting has been organised in response to the information about the conclusion of negotiations with Ukraine on reviewing trade conditions pursuant to Article 29 of the Association Agreement, which was provided on 30 June 2025 by the EU Commissioners Maroš Šefčovič (trade and economic security) and Christophe Hansen (agriculture and food).

Too rapid liberalisation of agri-food trade between the EU and Ukraine is too rapid

Referring to the European Commission’s proposal regarding a new trade agreement with Ukraine, Minister Czesław Siekierski noted that in the draft new trade agreement there had been a large increase in some quotas when compared to the provisions of the Association Agreement.

– Particularly alarming is an increase in the tariff quota for Ukrainian sugar – to the level of 100 thousand tonnes a year. This is nearly a five-fold increase when compared to the quota provided for in the Association Agreement. Since we are dealing with a sudden jump, safeguard mechanisms for the EU market are necessary – said Minister Siekierski.

As the head of the Ministry of Agriculture highlighted, Poland and the remaining countries of the region were also very worried about the fact that the European Commission’s new proposal lacked safeguard solutions for those products, trade in which had already been fully liberalised, such as raspberries, honey or rapeseed.

– The lack of protection results in a dramatic decrease in the profitability of production. For example, in the case of honey production ceases to be profitable, and beekeepers require state support only to maintain their apiaries. But honey is not only a market product – it is also an important element for the whole agricultural ecosystem. Also, worrying is complete liberalisation of dairy products, including whole milk powder, cream, yoghurts and fermented dairy products. So far, the quotas have been applicable – now they are being lifted. Maybe today these changes seem inconsiderable, but in several years they may have a significant impact on the competitiveness of our production – stated the Minister.

Positive aspects of the new EU-Ukraine trade agreement

The Polish delegation positively rated the following aspects of the EC’s new proposal concerning trade conditions between the EU and Ukraine:

• provisions on the bilateral safeguard clause which allow for taking action in the event of regional disturbances (e.g. in the Member States located in the immediate vicinity of Ukraine);
• Ukraine’s commitments to increase tariff quotas and further reduce customs duties on EU products;
• linking the agreement with the EU’s adaptation of legislation to the EU agricultural production standards with regard to animal welfare, application of pesticides and veterinary medicines.

Joint declaration of the states of the border five

When talking about the new rules of EU agri-food trade with Ukraine, Minister Czesław Siekierski stressed that a balance in access to markets had to be maintained. The countries of our region expect bilateral and gradual liberalisation of agri-food trade with Ukraine.

– We expect that products from Poland and other Member States will be able to enter the Ukrainian market on an equal basis. We also have to be guaranteed that Ukraine will gradually adapt its standards in the field of application of pesticides, animal welfare or veterinary medicines. Current announcements mention 2028 – it is too late. We want annual reports on progress, because our agriculture already functions in much more stringent conditions – said the head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.

Five countries bordering on/situated in the vicinity of Ukraine presented their expectations in a joint declaration. This declaration contains major demands of our region with respect to the deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA) between the EU and Ukraine. These demands include the protection of the agricultural sector in our region. The declaration will be submitted by Hungary as a point at the July meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) in Brussels.

The declaration has been signed by:

• Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland Czesław Siekierski;
• Minister of Agriculture and Food of Bulgaria Georgi Tahov;
• Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Slovakia Richard Takáč;
• Minister of Agriculture of Hungary István Nagy.

Romania, whose representative was unable to attend the meeting, will also join the declaration.

The full content of the declaration is included in the attached materials for downloading.

 

Evaluation of the EC’s communication on the EU-Mercosur agreement

During today’s meeting, Minister Czesław Siekierski also referred in his speech to the European Commission’s communication on the EU-Mercosur agreement.

– Our reservations are raised by the fact that the communication referred to an agreement that had not been officially presented before. Suddenly, we found out that something had been arranged – without prior consultation, without transparency. I have repeatedly called upon the Commission to present a full summary of the effects of opening up the EU market under the trade agreements being signed – particularly, in sensitive areas such as agricultural products – stressed Minister Siekierski and expressed his sorrow at the fact that the trade policy towards third countries, for which the European Commission was responsible, was pursued without proper consultation with the Member States and – what was particularly worrying – without any dialogue with farmers who were most exposed to the consequences of those decisions.

– We still do not know what the specific import volumes will be, how the implementation of the agreement will look and what its effects will be for the individual Member States – noted the head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.