The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection informs:
On 1 January 2026, mandatory requirements for the welfare of farm animals during their keeping will come into force in Ukraine.
This refers to the implementation of the regulations approved by the Order of the Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine No. 224 dated 08.02.2021, which come into force after the transition period and become mandatory for all market operators.
📌 WHO MUST COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
The requirements apply to all market operators, regardless of their form of ownership and the scale of their activities:
✔️ keeping farm animals;
✔️ production of animal products;
✔️ other activities related to the use of animals in agriculture.
🔍 ESSENCE OF THE REQUIREMENTS
The new rules provide for:
✔️ Ensuring proper conditions of detention, taking into account the physiological and behavioural needs of animals;
✔️ prohibiting practices that cause suffering or restrict the expression of typical behaviour;
✔️ operator's responsibility for the health, care and conditions of animals;
✔️ systematic approach to state control.
THE TIME TO PREPARE IS NOW
Although the requirements come into force in 2026, preparations should begin today:
✔️ audit of animal welfare conditions;
✔️ adaptation of premises and technologies;
✔️ staff training;
✔️ consultations with veterinary specialists.
The State Tax Service emphasises that failure to comply with the requirements after 1 January 2026 will have legal consequences, including state control measures.
📎 FOR REFERENCE
The requirements are introduced in accordance with:
🔹 Order of the Ministry of Economy of 08.02.2021 No. 224
🔹 Ukraine's European integration commitments
🔹 modern science-based approaches to animal welfare
🔎 CONCLUSION
2026 will be the point of no return for livestock approaches.
Animal welfare is moving from the realm of intentions to the realm of binding rules of the game.
For market operators, this means choice:
Prepare in advance or adapt in the face of controls and risks