Ukrainian Veterinary Alliance
UVA
Ukrainian Veterinary Alliance is a professional association uniting veterinarians from across the country.
ID: 479865999212-91
Lobbying Activity
Response to Modernisation of the EU legislation for on-farm animal welfare for certain animals
16 Jul 2025
The Ukrainian Veterinary Alliance, representing veterinarians from across public health, animal husbandry. Research, and clinical practice, welcomes the European Commissions initiative on the modernisation of on-farm animal welfare legislation. As an Ukrainian national association, UVA is deeply committed to supporting evidence-based and humane animal treatment. Our members are closely involved in guiding Ukraines agricultural sector through the challenging but vital process of aligning with EU animal welfare standards. We fully recognize both the ethical and practical imperatives of animal welfare and are at the forefront of aiding the sectors adaptation to evolving EU requirements. However, reforms are taking place against a backdrop of exceptional adversity. The ongoing war has led to the destruction of vital agricultural infrastructure, the mining of substantial part of farmland, and disruption to logistics and rural investments. As a result, veterinary professionals face unprecedented challenges in delivering improved animal welfare, biosecurity, and disease control services. Digital tools for welfare monitoring, such as electronic animal identification, real-time surveillance, and the use of objective welfare indicators, represent a major opportunity to enhance transparency, accountability, and scientific progress in animal care. Yet the cost of acquiring and maintaining these technologies, along with comprehensive education for producers, poses a significant burden in current conditions. These challenges are particularly acute for small and medium-sized farms, which form the backbone of Ukraine's supply chain. From our perspective, it is essential that the adoption of new welfare standards, especially those dependent on digitalisation and technical innovation, is supported by realistic and sufficiently extended transition periods. The Commission is advised also to take into account that Ukraine is implementing reforms amid armed conflict, mined agricultural land, and constraints on movement and infrastructure, hence these factors impact all aspects of animal husbandry and veterinary services, requiring additional flexibility and support measures in policy design. The harmonisation of animal welfare standards for imports to the EU is a shared goal. However, a phased introduction of equivalent requirements, with clear, manageable stages is necessary. Long-term success will also depend on continued partnerships, adequate funding, and tailored educational initiatives from the EU and its Member States. The Ukrainian Veterinary Alliance stands ready to support and contribute to the reforms that promote animal welfare, safeguard public health, and ensure the sustainability of agriculture. Achieving these goals will require not only harmonised rules, but also a pragmatic recognition of Ukraines extraordinary challenges, provision of adaptive transition periods, phased implementation of import compliance, as well as targeted investment in veterinary capacity and digital infrastructure.
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