EBA concerned over possible dissolution of Ukraine’s Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry

The European Business Association (EBA) is concerned over a possible dissolution of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and its merger with other ministries or agencies.

"The business community of the European Business Association is concerned over a possible dissolution of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and its merger with other ministries or agencies (the idea of a merger was spread in the media)," reads the statement of the EBA posted on its website.

The EBA notes that the agricultural sector is an important component of economic development and a guarantor of the country's food security. Ukraine is currently one of the largest exporters of agricultural products in the world. Top Ukrainian exports are grain, oils and oilseeds. Ukraine remains a confident leader in honey exporting. The agricultural sector forms 18% of Ukraine’s GDP, and the export of agricultural products, according to the Agrarian Policy Ministry, totalled $18.6 million in 2018.

“Analyzing the global experience, it should be noted that the countries of the European Union, the United States, China, Canada have corresponding agricultural ministries. The United Nations has a separate organization within its structure - the FAO. All these organizations play an important role in the formation of agricultural policy, ensuring food security, stimulating development, designing smart regulations, including for doing effective business," the EBA noted.

As media reported in early August, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine may be merged with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine and the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre. This information was confirmed by several sources.

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