Photo from UNIAN
The State Service for Food Safety and Protection of Consumers of Ukraine (Derzhprodspozhyvsluzhba) has officially started its work, according to the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry's press service.
"Finally we can announce that the process of creating the State Service for Food Safety and Protection of Consumers has been finalized. We have walked a long and difficult way, and the agency has started its work," Minister Oleksiy Pavlenko was quoted by the press service as saying.
Read alsoUkraine approves rules of organic livestock productionThe Agrarian Ministry notes that Derzhprodspozhyvsluzhba has completed all necessary requirements related to state registration, the approval of regulations, the structure, the personnel plan, and the budget. As required by the legislation, 30% of the personnel has been hired, and the selection process continues.
According to the report, all regional branches of Derzhprodspozhyvsluzhba have passed the state registration procedure and acting chiefs of the branches have been appointed. Competitions will be announced to select permanent heads of the branches.
As reported, the new Service has taken over functions previously performed by the State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service, the State Inspection for Consumer Rights Protection and the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service, which have been liquidated. The new Service will also perform control of state-regulated prices, protection of rights of consumers of products made of precious metals and stones, supervision in travel and tourism area, protection of rights to plant varieties and seed production.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the government decided to set up Derzhprodspozhyvsluzhba in September 2014 and instructed to create regional branches late in October 2015.