You're reading: Yanukovych orders to improve custom formalities for grain export

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has ordered the government to analyze customs formalities for grain exports from Ukraine and take steps to improve them.

Yanukovych recommended that the prosecutor general check the observance of the legislation during customs procedures for grain exported from Ukraine, the presidential press service reported on Tuesday.

The president issued a number of instructions for the government so as to guarantee food security of Ukrainians, to ensure the rational use of grain harvested in 2010, and to protect the interests of agricultural producers.

In particular, he ordered to raise the efficiency of the Agrarian Fund’s work, so that it can promptly react to price changes on the domestic grain market and create the necessary reserve of grain.

In addition, the cabinet should regulate the activities of the organized agrarian market and help agricultural producers get access to it.

As reported, since late June grain traders have been accusing the State Customs Service of creating artificial obstacles to grain exporting from Ukraine. The Customs Service, in turn, brought actions against several international grain trading companies on charges of providing incorrect data on grain exports.

In August, the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) drew the attention of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Union to the obstacles to grain exports from Ukraine created by the State Customs Service.