Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria are contesting a revised trade deal with Ukraine, fearing the impact on EU agricultural markets.

The five countries expressed concerns about the possible destabilization of European agricultural markets at a meeting of EU agriculture ministers. The revised agreement would replace the visa-free trade regime with Ukraine, which expired in June, and could allow an increase in imports of agricultural products from Ukraine, affecting local producers. The EU's agriculture commissioner confirmed talks on the new agreement, but member countries continue to demand changes to protect the interests of European farmers.