The Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi held an online meeting with the Regional Programme Leader of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) in Europe and Central Asia Raimund Jehle.

During the meeting parties discussed establishing a veterinary laboratory in the port of Izmail with the support of international partners.

"Currently, the lack of such a laboratory in Izmail slows down the process of agricultural products` export. Since such products are first sent to Odessa, where they have to wait their turn to be certified, and only then sent to Izmail to be sent abroad. All this leads to unnecessary financial costs and time. The new veterinary laboratory in Izmail will help us remove these issues and accelerate the export of domestic products", – said Mykola Solskyi.

In addition, the parties discussed donor support for small and medium-sized farms that need special assistance during the war, and which are important players in ensuring Ukraine's food security.

Raimund Jehle stressed the importance of Ukraine to ensure global food security and the strategic need to support the development of agriculture in our country during the war.

"FAO works on ensuring donors to provide urgent assistance to vulnerable rural households. We will take all efforts to support agricultural production in Ukraine, as well as help ensure all food supply chains both within the country and export positions", – assured Raimund Jehle.