The European integration of the Ukrainian dairy industry is taking place in accordance with the signed international agreements and the obligations arising from them.
The EU Integration committee of Ukrainian dairy plays a key role in this process, coordinating their activities with official institutions, organisations, associations and other stakeholders.
The main activities are currently focused on the following main areas:
1. Contractual relationship;
2. Sustainable development;
3. Extension of Rules and Compulsory Contributions.
| Contractual relationship | If the state does not make contracts mandatory, then market operators do so |
|---|---|
| Study standard contracts: By the second quarter of 2026, conduct a comparative analysis of standard contracts from EU countries such as France and Poland, where mandatory written contracts are in place, focusing on elements such as pricing formula, volume and duration. | |
| Develop standard contracts: By Q3 2026, develop standard contracts for the Ukrainian dairy sector that include the requirements of EU Regulation 1308/2013 (e.g., specifying the price formula, volume, payment terms and delivery schedules), adapted to local market conditions. | |
| Ensure training for market operators on contract performance and EU requirements, drawing on the experience of EU countries. | |
| Digital tools: Develop a digital template and platform by Q3 2027 to enable market operators to easily accept and register contracts, facilitating monthly reporting of milk volumes and prices. | |
| Data exchange with the EU: By Q4 2027, establish mechanisms for market operators to exchange transaction data with the European Commission (e.g. through the Milk Market Observatory), ensuring compliance with EU market monitoring requirements. | |
| Establish a feedback mechanism by 2028 to improve contracts based on operators’ experience, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with the EU. |
| Mandatory declarations | Regulatory framework: By the first quarter of 2027, adopt regulatory acts that will require milk processing enterprises to declare monthly milk deliveries (volumes) and prices in accordance with the requirements of Article 151. |
|---|---|
| Legally define the competent authority and its powers | |
| Set requirements for the first buyer’s declaration | |
| A 22. Establish the form of the first purchaser’s declaration and the procedure and frequency of its submission by the first purchaser to the competent authority. | |
| Create secure data exchange protocols for the transfer of aggregated declaration data to the European Commission’s Milk Market Observatory, as required by Article 151. | |
| Create a national system for monitoring milk prices and volumes, similar to the European Milk Market Observatory.. | |
| Digital reporting platform: Develop a centralised digital platform for the submission of declarations by reporting entities, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility for authorities.. | |
| Define standardised formats for declarations (e.g. volume in litres, price per litre) to ensure consistency and compliance with EU reporting standards.. | |
| Conduct training for milk processors on declaration procedures, reporting and EU transparency requirements.. |
| Regulation of supply for cheese with a protected designation of origin | Develop rules in accordance with Article 150 to manage PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese production volumes, ensuring that supply matches demand in order to maintain quality and price stability. |
|---|---|
| Identify and register relevant Ukrainian cheeses for PDO status, in accordance with the requirements of EU Regulation 1308/2013. | |
| Develop a procedure for establishing temporary mandatory rules | |
| Establish conditions of application and requirements for agreements between producers and processors | |
| Define production standards (e.g. milk sources, traditional methods) ensuring compliance with PDO specifications and EU quality requirements. | |
| Establish a national supervisory body to monitor PDO production limits and quality, with annual reporting to the European Commission. | |
| Facilitate agreements between PDO producers to collectively set production quotas, as permitted by Article 150, thereby preventing overproduction. | |
| Inform producers about grants and conduct training sessions for them with a view to introducing supply management practices and compliance with EU market standards. | |
| Integrate PDO production data into the national reporting system, transmitting it to the EU Milk Market Observatory. |
| Packaging management | Adoption of the Law ‘On Packaging and Packaging Waste’ with amendments in accordance with Directive 94/62/EC, which provides for the introduction of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) and the transition to the use of recyclable materials. |
|---|---|
| All participants in the milk production chain are switching to the use of recyclable materials. This process requires coordination between producers, processors and retail chains, as well as adaptation of the infrastructure for waste collection and processing. | |
| Set limits on the use of single-use plastics in the milk production chain in accordance with Directive 2019/904/EU. This includes banning certain products (e.g. plastic cups, straws) and switching to alternative materials by 2030. | |
| Establish an EPR industry organisation for the dairy industry in Ukraine, which will be responsible for coordinating the collection, treatment and recycling of packaging waste in accordance with Directive 94/62/EC. The organisation should be established by 2028 with the participation of producers, processors and retail chains. | |
| Development and implementation of packaging return, collection and recycling systems in the dairy industry of Ukraine in accordance with Directive 94/62/EC. The systems include the creation of infrastructure for waste collection, reception points and recycling facilities, with a focus on recyclable materials by 2030. | |
| Prepare for the introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPP) using QR codes containing product content and processing data in the Ukrainian dairy industry following their introduction in the EU (expected between 2027 and 2030 according to ESPR). This includes adapting infrastructure for generating and scanning QR codes, as well as integrating data on composition, origin of materials and processing instructions. |
| Emission Reduction | Amend existing Ukrainian legislation (e.g. Law No. 124-VIII of 2015 on Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment) to include dairy processing in CO2 emission reduction plans. Assess current emissions in the dairy sector and set reduction targets (in line with the EU’s commitment to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels). |
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| Seeking and attracting funding from EU programmes or international donors for projects to reduce emissions in the dairy sector | |
| Promoting the introduction of energy-efficient technologies in dairy enterprises | |
| Promoting the installation of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and biogas plants (using dairy waste), at dairy enterprises in Ukraine through subsidies or low-interest loans. The programme aims to replace fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions by 25% by 2030 compared to 2005, in line with EU targets. | |
| Implementation of the Law ‘On the Principles of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions’ (No. 377-IX of 2019) by encouraging Ukrainian dairy processing enterprises to monitor, report and verify greenhouse gas emissions using methods that comply with EU standards. |
| Waste Management |
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| Develop secondary legislation to classify whey and other dairy by-products as valuable resources. This will enable them to be used in biogas production, animal feed or other areas, which is fully in line with the principles of the EU circular economy |
| Introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for dairy producers. This will enable the financing and effective management of systems for the collection, treatment and recycling of organic waste. |
| Set a national target for organic waste recycling in the dairy sector |
| Search for funding for serum processing facilities and organic waste processing systems |
| Wastewater Management |
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| Assess the capacity of existing local treatment facilities at dairy enterprises to cope with organic loads and identify gaps in compliance with BAT (best available techniques) standards by mid-2026 |
| For all new facilities that will be commissioned after 2025, ensure immediate compliance of wastewater treatment systems with Best Available Technology (BAT) standards already at the commissioning stage. |
| The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources (Ministry of Environment) must finalise subordinate legislation detailing: Procedures for issuing Integrated Pollution Permits (IPP). Adaptation of Best Available Technologies (BAT) to Ukrainian conditions. Monitoring protocols. |
| Organise training for dairy industry operators and local government representatives. Conduct training on the implementation of Best Available Techniques (BAT) and Integrated Pollution Permits (IPP) requirements. |
| Create conditions for infrastructure renewal: Advanced technologies for wastewater treatment at dairy enterprises |
| Introduce a system where Integrated Pollution Permits (IPP) will set individual wastewater discharge limits for each dairy enterprise. These limits will be based on conclusions regarding Best Available Technologies (BAT) adapted to local conditions. |
| For existing enterprises, provide for a 10-year transition period, starting on 8 August 2025, to modernise treatment facilities and achieve compliance with Best Available Technology (BAT) standards. During this process, priority will be given to energy-efficient solutions and technologies with low chemical use. |
| introduce regular wastewater quality monitoring and reporting systems that comply with EU standards. This will ensure compliance with the limits set in the Integrated Pollution Permits (IPP). |
| Energy consumption | By mid-2026, conduct comprehensive energy audits at dairy enterprises. Identify energy inefficiencies, particularly in key processes such as pasteurisation and cooling systems. |
|---|---|
| Align the activities of enterprises with national energy efficiency plans and EU standards. report and account for emissions through Integrated Pollution Permits (IPP) | |
| Create conditions for dairy processing enterprises to install energy-efficient equipment. For existing plants, this process should be implemented within 5-7 years, while new facilities should introduce these technologies immediately. | |
| Ensure access to grants and preferential loans for energy-saving projects | |
| Create conditions for the introduction of renewable energy sources in dairy enterprises where it is technically feasible and economically viable. This involves installing solar panels, constructing biogas plants (using dairy waste) or using wind energy. | |
Organise training courses on energy efficiency practices and maintenance of new equipment. |
| Legal Framework for Recognition | Define the criteria and procedures for the recognition of Producer Organisations (POs) and Associations of Producer Organisations (APOs) |
|---|---|
| Adopt legislation that defines the criteria for the recognition of POs in accordance with Article 152 (Regulation No. 1308/2013) | |
| Develop a simplified application form to facilitate official recognition of producer organisations | |
| Develop guidelines and templates for the establishment of producer organisations | |
| Conduct seminars for dairy producers on the benefits of POs, governance, and EU requirements | |
| Establish a national register of recognised POs with annual compliance checks in accordance with the standards of Article 152 | |
| Notify the European Commission about the legal framework and the recognised POs |
| Extension of Rules and Compulsory Contributions | Define criteria and procedures for the recognition of Interbranch Organisations (IBOs) |
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| Adopt legislation defining the recognition criteria for Associations of Producer Organisations (APOs) (Article 154) and IBOs (Article 157), focusing on their role in coordination and market transparency (Article 158) | |
| Define mandatory statutes for APOs and IBOs, including governance structure, objectives (e.g. market stabilisation for APOs, supply chain cooperation for IBOs), and member representation, in accordance with Articles 154 and 157 | |
| Develop guidelines, detailed documentation (e.g. membership agreements, operational plans), minimum requirements and evidence of operational capacity | |
| Appoint the Ministry of Agrarian Policy as the competent authority to process APO and IBO recognition applications within a 90-day timeframe, with a clear appeals procedure | |
| Organise seminars to familiarise stakeholders in the dairy supply chain with the benefits of APOs and IBOs and promote their establishment | |
| Provide templates and legal assistance to support APOs and IBOs in preparing applications and drafting statutes | |
| Create a registry of recognised APOs and IBOs, requiring annual reporting to verify compliance with EU standards | |
| Ensure the system supports IBO activities such as promotion of best practices (Article 157) and data reporting by APOs (Article 161), incorporating feedback from the EU | |
| Establish criteria for the extension of rules | |
| Clearly define which rules may be extended (e.g. mandatory reporting of production data, sustainable agricultural practices), ensuring they do not harm non-EU countries or violate EU or national legislation | |
| Conduct impact assessments to ensure that extended rules do not result in anti-competitive effects, in consultation with competition authorities | |
| Establish a system for the official publication of extended rules, ensuring accessibility and transparency for all affected operators | |
| Develop a notification procedure to inform the European Commission about the extended rules, as required under Article 164, ensuring compliance and approval | |
| Adopt legislation allowing APOs and IBOs to require non-members who benefit from the extended rules to contribute financially to the organisation’s activities, with a clearly defined payment structure | |
| Create a competent authority to resolve disputes or cases of non-payment by non-members | |
| Launch awareness campaigns to inform non-members about their obligations and the benefits of extended rules, ensuring sector-wide understanding |
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