April 20, 2007

Ukraine may stop meat imports in two years

Ukraine may stop importing meat in 1 to 2 years because of the saturation local meat in the domestic market, according to Deputy Agricultural Policy Minister Viktor Slauta.

Slauta said new projects for construction of pig complex and livestock farms are already underway indicating the country's swine and livestock expansion.

But he noted the government would not ban meat importation, stating it has temporarily suspended imports until September because of poor quality meat entering Ukrainian market.

The Cabinet of Ministers imposed a temporary ban on importation of certain meat and meat products into Ukraine under give-and-take mechanisms until September on April 18.

According to data from the Agricultural Policy Ministry, 29,000 tonnes of meat products were imported into Ukraine during the January-February period, including 14,000 were imported on preferential terms and 13,000 tonnes on give-and-take terms.