EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen sees even greater hurdles for Ukraine’s EU membership.
In principle, a membership is only possible if there is peace in the country, and the Ukraine must also complete some homework, said Hansen to the Funke Media Group newspapers. “Above all, it will be about the local farmers adapting to our production standards.” There are, for example, very large differences in chicken farming. “Before such standards are aligned, a membership is unrealistic” he meant. It will take “some time” before Ukraine’s membership is possible.
However, an EU membership could also be geopolitically advantageous, as it would reduce existing dependencies. Hansen cited, for example, protein plants, where a quarter of EU consumption currently comes from Latin America. “If Ukraine could join in the production, it would help the EU. But that is a long way and the Ukraine will not get a free pass, so they must meet our requirements” he added.