Pavlenko studies Latvia experience in transition to EU agricultural standards

The Latvian experience and bilateral cooperation on of food safety, standardization and certification of organic products will help Ukraine to reform its agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors on European terms.

Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Oleksiy Pavlenko wrote in his Facebook.

"Studying the experience of Latvia will help to reform agriculture, forestry and fisheries in Ukraine in order to transform industrial sectors to the European principles of operation," the minister said during his working visit to Riga, Latvia.

Pavlenko stated that his working visit started in the city of Riga with meeting the minister of agriculture of the Republic of Latvia and contacts with the fish and the forestry agency in Latvia. The parties discussed the prospects of bilateral projects in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

"The Republic of Latvia is an important trade partner of Ukraine in Europe. According to the data for the 10 months of 2015, the trade turnover in agricultural products amounted to $38.7 million," said Pavlenko.

In his opinion, Ukraine should use the experience of Latvia in the legislative sphere to protect, conserve and restore soil qualities. Bilateral cooperation on food safety, certification and standardization of organic products and adaptation of legislation to the European standards should also be fostered.