Ukraine offers Poland a mechanism for verification of agricultural exports

Ukraine has offered Poland a mechanism for verifying agricultural exports in accordance with the European Commission’s decision, which is already working effectively with Romania and Bulgaria. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during a joint briefing with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on January 22 in Kyiv.

“Today (January 22), we also discussed many issues of bilateral cooperation with Mr. Prime Minister of Poland. It is important that this cooperation is and should be mutually beneficial,” Shmyhal said.

He clarified that this is, in particular, the issue of unimpeded movement of goods across the border.

“We believe that the issue has been resolved. The border has been unblocked, and the joint work is working,” Shmyhal emphasized.

According to him, for its part, the Ukrainian side promised to make every effort to avoid harm and support Polish farmers and carriers.

At the same time, Shmyhal emphasized that Ukraine also expects Poland to take steps to lift the restrictions for Ukrainian farmers and producers.

“Ukraine has proposed a mechanism for verification of agricultural exports in accordance with the decision of the European Commission. This mechanism is already working effectively with Romania and Bulgaria, and we propose to use it in our mutually beneficial relations,” the Prime Minister said.

In addition, he emphasized that the government calls on the European Commission to continue measures to liberalize trade for Ukraine, as well as to liberalize transportation.

“For our part, we have a draft law in parliament that brings our logistics and transportation standards and obligations in line with European directives,” Shmyhal added.

In September 2023, the government approved a new procedure for exporting corn, rapeseed, sunflower, and wheat, which requires a license from the Ministry of Economy in coordination with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy to supply these crops to the five EU member states bordering Ukraine.

On October 31, 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution “On the Implementation of a Pilot Project on the Verification of Agricultural Entities under Martial Law,” according to which a list of verified agricultural entities exporting goods will be formed in Ukraine. In particular, grains, oilseeds and processed products.

The new rules should make it impossible to abuse and violate the law when exporting agricultural products. They should also protect the rights of agricultural entrepreneurs who comply with export laws.

Tags: agricultural products, Ukraine, Poland