July 31, 2008

Ukraine's President suggests measures to counter low-quality meat imports

President Victor Yushchenko is requesting the Ukrainian government to take action against increasing imports of low-quality meat into the country as it could hurt the domestic meat industry.

In the letter to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, the President said imports of cheap and low-quality meat could destabilize national meat markets and result in decreasing domestic purchase prices, according to the President's press-office.

The statement was backed by data showing a domestic livestock reduction of 10.1 percent for cattle and 19.3 percent for pigs.

The President also highlighted the demerits of selling foreign-produced meat at dumping prices through the State committee on state material reserves.

Suggestions made to the government include thorough veterinary inspections on imported meat, proper inspection of raw meat at customs, new regulations on meat production and an alteration to the government budget to set aside sufficient funds for domestic agriculture.