The EBA urges caution regarding amendments to the veterinary medicine law

14/ 04/ 2025

According to business community reports, on 16 April, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is expected to discuss proposed amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Veterinary Medicine” No. 1206–IX. The Animal Health Committee of the European Business Association expresses deep concern over the initiation and potential adoption of amendments at this stage. Currently, there is a lack of secondary legislation necessary to regulate the implementation of the Law’s provisions. In such circumstances, enforcement becomes unfeasible, posing a risk of effectively blocking the operations of companies in the veterinary medicine sector. The European Business Association highly values the adopted Law “On Veterinary Medicine”. In the view of the business community, it supports the harmonisation of national legislation with European standards, ensures an appropriate level of veterinary oversight, and creates transparent conditions for the production and circulation of veterinary medicinal products. At the same time, introducing amendments to the Law without a properly developed regulatory framework and adequate preparatory phase may negatively impact the veterinary business and could, more broadly, hinder the development of veterinary medicine in Ukraine. The business community believes that the priority should be the development and implementation of the necessary secondary legislation that will clarify and regulate the mechanisms for enforcing Law No. 1206–IX. The Law should come into force based on clearly defined rules to avoid legal uncertainty and disruption of business operations. The Animal Health Committee is ready to contribute to the drafting process of secondary legislation, offer expert recommendations, and actively participate in discussions. Experts from the European Business Association are convinced that only after the Law is implemented and its practical functioning assessed should the possibility of amendments be considered — based on real needs and experience within the sector.

According to business community reports, on 16 April, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is expected to discuss proposed amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Veterinary Medicine” No. 1206–IX.

The Animal Health Committee of the European Business Association expresses deep concern over the initiation and potential adoption of amendments at this stage. Currently, there is a lack of secondary legislation necessary to regulate the implementation of the Law’s provisions. In such circumstances, enforcement becomes unfeasible, posing a risk of effectively blocking the operations of companies in the veterinary medicine sector.

The European Business Association highly values the adopted Law “On Veterinary Medicine”. In the view of the business community, it supports the harmonisation of national legislation with European standards, ensures an appropriate level of veterinary oversight, and creates transparent conditions for the production and circulation of veterinary medicinal products.

At the same time, introducing amendments to the Law without a properly developed regulatory framework and adequate preparatory phase may negatively impact the veterinary business and could, more broadly, hinder the development of veterinary medicine in Ukraine.

The business community believes that the priority should be the development and implementation of the necessary secondary legislation that will clarify and regulate the mechanisms for enforcing Law No. 1206–IX. The Law should come into force based on clearly defined rules to avoid legal uncertainty and disruption of business operations.

The Animal Health Committee is ready to contribute to the drafting process of secondary legislation, offer expert recommendations, and actively participate in discussions.

Experts from the European Business Association are convinced that only after the Law is implemented and its practical functioning assessed should the possibility of amendments be considered — based on real needs and experience within the sector.