Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Seven tons of NATO food aid intended for Western Ukraine's flood victims have been destroyed by authorities in Transcarpathia oblast

ctims were destroyed by authorities in Transcarpathia oblast earlier this month in the wake of a resolution banning certain exports of meat and dairy products because of a mad cow and foot‑and‑mouth disease scare.

The food had been supplied to the flooded region as NATO‑sponsored humanitarian aid. It included canned meat, milk, instant coffee, biscuits and sugar. Hygiene and medical kits were also supplied.

The food had passed quality‑control inspection by NATO’s epidemic commission prior to being shipped, Ukrainian News reported.

The NATO food aid was produced in 1998 and had not exceeded its shelf life.

Cans containing meat and milk were destroyed because local authorities feared the food could cause an outbreak of mad cow disease or foot‑and‑mouth disease.

“The cans that contained meat and milk were produced in Western Europe,” said Adalbert Braun, deputy head of the Berehovsky regional administration. “It was decided by both the oblast and district administrations to destroy them.”

Officials first decided to bury the cans, but later opted to incinerate them instead.

Braun said that local officials were of Ministers resolution issued on June 8 that bans meat and dairy products imported from some Western European countries to Ukraine.

Officials did not explain why they destroyed the coffee and sugar, which did not fall under the ban.

Braun disputed published press reports that that the complete aid shipment, including non‑food items, was destroyed. He said that hygiene and medical supplies had been distributed to schools, orphanages and hospitals.