Netherlands supports GMO legislation improvement in Ukraine

For the last 3 years EU supported project was working on improvement GMO legislation in Ukraine. Netherlands together with Poland and Latvia supported legislation analysis, development of regulations on GMO and seeds, providing recommendation on its implementation.

Carolien Spaans, Agricultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine took part in the closing conference of the Twinning Project.

On November 21, 2024, the closing conference of the Twinning Project, ″Approximation of national legislation of Ukraine in the fields of state supervision (control) of GMOs in open systems, protection of plant variety rights, and seed and seeding production in line with EU norms and standards″, took place. Supported by the European Union, this project brought together the efforts of a consortium comprising Latvia, Poland, and the Netherlands, with Ukraine’s State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection (SSUFSCP) as the main beneficiary.

Participants and Key Remarks

The event brought together representatives from Ukrainian government bodies, international organizations, and professional associations. Participants included the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, the Cabinet of Ministers Secretariat, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, embassies of project member countries, and industry experts.

Christian Ben Hell, Head of the Operational Sector of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, mentioned the main challenges for the project due to the ongoing war. He said that project was started on April, 1, 2021, but it was on hold from March, 1 till November, 30 of 2022 due to the russian full invasion in Ukraine. Nevertheless, close cooperation of Ukrainian and international experts was continued after November, 30, 2022 and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment as a reliable partner to Ukraine on its integration process.

Kristine Lomakina, the project leader from Latvia, expressed confidence that the project’s outcomes would enhance the competitiveness of Ukraine’s agricultural sector and bring the country closer to EU membership.

Achievements of the Project

The Twinning Project achieved several key milestones:

• Analyzed critical Ukrainian laws in the areas of GMOs, seed production, and plant variety rights protection.

• Developed draft laws: ″On the Circulation of Genetically Modified Organisms,″ ″On Seed and Plant Varieties Circulation,″ and ″On Plant Variety Rights Protection.″

• Conducted eight study visits to Latvia and Poland, eight practical workshops, and numerous consultations involving experts and stakeholders.

• Developed a number of recommendation materials on related topics

The Netherlands’ Role

The Netherlands played an important role in the project, providing substantial expert support. Dutch expertise, represented by Naktuinbouw The Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture, contributed to improving regulatory frameworks in Ukraine. Their practical experience and methodologies were instrumental in developing modern guidelines and recommendations.

A Step Towards EU Integration

The Twinning Project, carried out amidst significant challenges, became a cornerstone in aligning Ukraine’s agricultural legislation with EU standards. This achievement not only strengthens Ukraine’s agricultural competitiveness but also brings the country closer to its strategic goal of European Union integration.

By fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange, the Netherlands, alongside Latvia and Poland, helped lay the groundwork for sustainable development in Ukraine’s agricultural sector, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts in overcoming global challenges.