The chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC), Andrii Dykun, has accused Russia of using “food as a weapon”, at a forum in Brussels focused on reconstructing the Ukrainian agriculture infrastructure.
The event, Rebuilding Ukrainian Agriculture, formed part of the Forum for the Future of Agriculture, and gathered representatives from EU institutions, specialised associations from EU member states, and Ukraine to discuss vital strategies for aligning Ukraine’s agricultural sector with EU standards.
Among the topics discussed were a financing plan for Ukrainian agricultural producers, access to EU and global food markets, and Ukraine’s crucial role in global food security and agri-food supply.
Call for sanctions
Addressing the conference, Dykun highlighted the importance of imposing sanctions on Russian and Belarusian agricultural producers as a critical measure for restoring Ukraine’s agricultural sector.
Additionally, Dykun noted that Russia’s agricultural sector relies heavily on European technologies, machinery, and seeds. He advocated for a ban on the export of these goods from the EU to Russia as a means to curb its agricultural development.
“Russia is using food as a weapon in the war with Ukraine,” he said. “They blocked the Black Sea to prevent Ukrainian farmers from exporting products and captured our market in China. Many technologies and resources from the EU are still reaching Russia. To stop Russia, we need to prohibit these exports.”
EU membership
Elsewhere, Dykun argued that Ukraine’s EU membership would enhance trade relations and bolster global food security without burdening the EU budget.
“Ukraine does not need subsidies,” he commented.”We need support in defense, not agribusiness subsidies. We can increase soybean production for the EU and supply rapeseed for biofuel production. Ukraine can produce over 10 million tonnes of sugar and benefit the EU dairy sector. The EU lacks the potential to grow in cattle breeding and dairy, but Ukraine does.”
Dykun also expressed gratitude to the forum’s organisers for facilitating professional dialogue, underscoring its importance for Ukrainian agricultural producers and global food security.
