European Farmers Launch New Association in Ukraine to Champion Rights and EU Integration

International Farmers' Association of Ukraine Launched

According to Главком: On March 14, 2024, the International Farmers' Association of Ukraine (IFA) was established, uniting 63 family farms with a combined land area of 275,000 hectares. The association's core objectives are to protect farmers' rights and to participate in negotiations concerning Ukraine's integration into the European Union. This move comes as Ukraine's agricultural sector seeks greater alignment with European standards and markets.

IFA members represent farmers from the following countries:

• Germany
• The Netherlands
• Belgium
• France
• Switzerland
• Austria
• Denmark
• Scotland

These European agriculturalists, alongside their Ukrainian counterparts, are deeply involved in local communities. Their contributions include assisting with infrastructure projects like installing water pipes and sewage systems, building churches, and providing humanitarian aid. They also create jobs for Ukrainians, export their harvests, and pay taxes into the Ukrainian state budget.

Michel Tereshchenko, a representative of the association, noted that IFA members employ the best agricultural practices, protect the landscape, and respect the long-term fertility of the land.

Challenges and Prospects for Farmers

The farms within the IFA vary significantly in size, ranging from 300 to 22,000 hectares. Ukraine's 2024 spring sowing campaign is underway, but field work in most regions is expected to start later than the average for previous years. This delay is attributed to deeper soil freezing and a longer-lasting snow cover in several oblasts.

Michel Tereshchenko added that while farmers know how to defend their rights individually, they formed the association to combine their efforts and advocate for their interests more effectively. The IFA aims to ensure its voice is heard in crucial negotiations for Ukrainian farmers, particularly those related to EU integration. Like all associations, the IFA also seeks to generate synergy among colleagues, share vital information, and foster friendly cooperation among its members and all Ukrainian farmers. The formation of this group signals a strategic effort to navigate the complex regulatory and economic landscape of European accession.