Main points
- On March 2, 2026, the law on veterinary medicine came into force in Ukraine, establishing mandatory European standards for farms.
- The law requires owners to undergo animal welfare training, keep detailed records, and provide proper housing conditions.
Animal welfare on the farm / Photo Freepik
New rules in the field of veterinary medicine and animal husbandry officially came into force in Ukraine on March 2, 2026. The law establishes mandatory requirements for conditions on farms and increases the responsibility of farm owners.
Farms must comply with European standards
The Law of Ukraine “On Veterinary Medicine and Animal Welfare” came into effect in Ukraine on March 2, 2026, the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection reported. Some of the requirements have been implemented by farmers since the beginning of the year, but now they have become mandatory for all farms.
The new rules set clear standards in four key areas: proper housing conditions for animals, including minimum space requirements for each animal to avoid overcrowding. Climate control, including lighting and ventilation, is also mandatory.
Particular attention is paid to ensuring that animals have uninterrupted access to quality feed and water. In addition, special standards have been established for certain species – pigs, calves and broiler chickens, in particular regarding group housing.
What changes did the new law bring?
From now on, the full responsibility for the condition of the animal lies with its keeper. The law obliges farm owners to undergo special training on animal welfare, regularly inspect livestock and poultry, and keep detailed records.
In particular, it is necessary to record the use of veterinary drugs, preventive measures, changes in health status and cases of animal deaths. All records must be kept for at least three years and be available for inspections by regulatory authorities.
The department emphasizes that the reform is aimed not only at humane treatment of animals, but also at economic impact. It should contribute to the fight against counterfeit veterinary drugs, the development of domestic production, and the increase in the competitiveness of Ukrainian products on the European Union market.
Interest-free loans for farmers: the government is preparing a new financing program
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The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine is developing a program of interest-free loans for agricultural producers for a period of up to five years.
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The program will allow micro and small agricultural producers to receive loans of up to UAH 1 million, and about UAH 220 million has already been accumulated for its implementation.