European rules for dairy farms focus on three key areas. After joining the EU, relevant regulations will also apply to Ukrainian enterprises.

This was stated by specialists from the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection during a congress that brought together more than 500 representatives of the Ukrainian dairy industry.

The first important area is called animal welfare. Since March 1, 2026, requirements for the keeping, transportation, and handling of farm animals have been in effect in Ukraine. In this context, personnel training and the procedures for obtaining state certificates confirming the possession of the necessary knowledge and skills in animal welfare are important.

No less significant, according to officials, are the new rules for the circulation and use of veterinary medicines. These include changes to the legislation on the use of antimicrobial veterinary medicines, the need to maintain appropriate documentation, and the use of certain categories of medicines solely based on a veterinary prescription. Responsible use of antimicrobial veterinary drugs is an important tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance and ensuring the safety of animal products.

Another important issue in the State Service for the Food and Consumer Protection of Ukraine was the hygienic requirements for milk. In accordance with Ukraine’s European integration obligations, from January 1, 2029, only raw milk of the “extra” grade will be allowed for processing into food products. That is why dairy farms need to assess their own readiness to meet new quality standards today.

The “Milk Module” – the national system for laboratory control of raw milk – contributes to improving milk quality. The updated functionality allows you to automate accounting and analysis of laboratory test results, increase information traceability, provide operational access to data, and create a single information base for milk quality and safety indicators.

“Modernisation of the system is an important element of preparing the dairy industry for the implementation of European requirements and will help increase trust in the results of laboratory control on the part of both market operators and consumers,” the department summarised.