Ukraine to set up Food Security Coordination Council

Photo from UNIAN President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky&#39;s economic advisor Oleh Ustenko believes that today Ukraine is at the forefront of the coronavirus spread, but there are processes in the country that cannot be put on halt. Among them, Ustenko singled out quality spring field works by Ukrainian farmers. "Today we should seriously think about preparing and ensure the autumn sowing campaign in conditions of the emergency. Not only agricultural enterprises, but also related industries are actively involved in this process. It is necessary to fertilize fields – this means uninterrupted work of Ukrainian chemists is important. Fuel supply is important. The work of the entire logistics system across the country is important – everything related to issues of warehouse operation, goods shipment," Ustenko told UNIAN. Zelensky&#39;s advisor noted that at the moment, No.1 national priority in Ukraine is fighting against coronavirus, but after the epidemic is over, the country must not find itself in a situation of food crisis. "Therefore, under current conditions, I would call priority two ensuring food security of our country. It will really depend on how things are going in the agricultural sector and in the sectors that support it, whether we will have bread on the table this and next year," the presidential advisor said. "Being aware of all the risks and threats of today, we are initiating the creation of an operational coordination council under the working title Harvest 2020," Ustenko added. Read alsoFood security: Flour production boosted in Ukraine According to Ustenko, this coordinating council will include a representative of the President’s Office, representatives of the Ministry of Economics, the Minister of Economy himself, who has already confirmed his participation. "Representatives of the National Security and Defense Council will have to join the coordination council, because in the current conditions this is a serious challenge for them too. Today, we already have requests from specialized associations of chemists and farmers who are ready to provide their experts, and we will actively use the experience and vision of specialists who literally and figuratively work &#39;in the field&#39; and who can give quick feedback," said Ustenko. According to him, if necessary, specialists from other ministries and from across regions will be involved as well. "It is obvious that to solve many problems it will be necessary to involve not only representatives of the agricultural sector, or chemists, or representatives of agricultural engineering, but specialists from the ministry of infrastructure, experts from law enforcement agencies will be needed if such issues are raised. Probably, specialists from the Ministry of Finance will be needed," said the presidential advisor. According to Ustenko, these are the first sowing campaigns and the first crop in the history of independent Ukraine, which will need to be ensured in such extraordinary conditions. Read alsoHunger Games: is Ukraine facing a food crisis "This is a real fight for stability on the Ukrainian food market, as well as for our exports. Therefore, there should be a comprehensive coordinated work of the state together with representatives of critical industries. The task of the coordination council is to quickly respond to problems and new challenges," said Oleh Ustenko.

Ukraine to set up Food Security Coordination Council

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