EU Delegation statement on the food safety control system:

November 21, 2015.

    The EU urges the Ukrainian government to continue the administrative reform of the food safety control system, taking account of the best international practice. The EU expects the new structure will become operational as soon as possible.
    However the EU has not taken and will not take any position on where the competent Ukrainian authority on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures should be located or to which Minister or other authority it should report. These are matters that pertain exclusively to the responsibility of the Ukrainian authorities.
    Nonetheless, the EU reiterates its full support for a reform that ensures a high level of protection of human, animal and plant health and consumers' interests, in line with the EU's approach to food safety, and which will benefit agricultural producers as well.
    In this regard it is of crucial importance that the responsible service is professional, efficient and independent, and that opportunities for corruption are eliminated.