In brief
Draft proposals could limit access to agricultural markets and subsidies after Ukraine joins the EU, according to an FT report cited by ZN.UA.
The European Commission is considering special restrictions on Ukraine's access to EU agricultural markets and subsidies even after possible membership, ZN.UA reported on October 5, citing the Financial Times and an internal Commission document.
The proposals cite the scale, structure and productivity of Ukraine's agricultural sector as grounds for limits, including on wheat and other grains. They aim to ease competition concerns among existing members, including Poland, France and Italy. The Common Agricultural Policy distributes about €55 billion annually across the EU; that figure is not an allocation for Ukraine.
The draft also proposes helping Ukraine regain access to traditional export markets disrupted by Russia's war. Wider enlargement proposals would tie new members' access to EU funding to reforms and allow separate accession road maps without fixed joining dates.
According to the October 5 report, senior Commission officials were discussing the proposals and approval of the document was expected on Tuesday. ZN.UA did not report a final decision.