On November 8, Minister of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine Vitaliy Koval met with the Board of the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC) to discuss a number of important issues related to the agricultural sector.

The meeting was focused on critical topics such as the continuation of exemption process for agricultural workers and the prospects for reforming the land reclamation system, as well as support for farmers in the affected areas.

According to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, the issuance of new orders recognizing enterprises as critical to the economy and reservation for military deferment of agricultural employees has been suspended until November 15. The only exceptions are those enterprises that currently have a valid decision on criticality - these enterprises can submit lists for exemption process only of those employees who already had the status of employees with a military service deferment by May 31, 2024.

The Minister explained that this decision was due to the need to audit existing orders to eliminate possible violations. Vitalii Koval noted that some companies, including those under audit by the Ministry of Economy, may not meet the criteria of being critical to the economy.

Farmers expressed concern about restrictions and delays in exemption process extending, as well as difficulties in obtaining reservation for military deferment of new employees, and emphasized the need to continue exemption process as soon as possible in accordance with the requirements of the current legislation.

Serhii Rybalko, representative of Adelaide Farm, asked about continuation of reservation for military deferment of employees:

“We have applied for the extension of the reservation for military deferment of employees who already had a valid status until May 31, but we have not received a response yet. It's been two weeks since we applied, and the process remains uncertain. We are concerned about how quickly the decision will be made, as the company requires the constant presence of qualified personnel.”

They also discussed the need to resolve the problematic issue of the inability to reserve employees of enterprises from the occupied territories who have moved to the regions controlled by Ukraine and are trying to resume their activities. The farmers noted that they cannot start working in a new place without reservation for military deferment.

The Minister emphasized that this is a systemic problem and suggested joining forces with the UAC to find solutions:

“I appeal to the head of the UAC, Andrii Dykun, to consolidate information and formulate an appeal from the association to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy so that we can see this problem as a systemic one. For its part, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy will promptly prepare a letter to the Ministry of Economy, as this problem affects not only the agricultural sector but also many other industries,” Vitalii Koval said.

During the discussion, Andrii Dykun, the Chairman of the UAC, emphasized the importance of developing a state support program for relocated enterprises.

“Relocated farmers desperately need their own support program, as many farms were forced to leave the regions that are currently occupied or on the contact line. The UAC is ready to cooperate with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy by providing up-to-date information on the needs and challenges faced by farmers. Such a program would help to restore production capacity and retain qualified personnel, and therefore it should be developed together,” emphasized Andrii Dykun.

The issue of reclamation and transfer of reclamation networks for use by farmers was also a key topic of the meeting. The Ukrainian Agri Council emphasized the need to support farmers who need a stable water supply.

Dmytro Kokhan, Deputy Chairman of the UAC, said: “Many Water Users Organizations (WUOs) have already fulfilled all the legal requirements for obtaining reclamation networks, but still cannot complete the process and obtain ownership of reclamation property due to constant administrative obstacles from the State Agency of Water Resources.”

The Minister of Agrarian Policy expressed his readiness to initiate a joint meeting with representatives of the State Agency of Ukraine for Water Resources to discuss the problems that hinder the process of transferring reclamation networks.

In early December, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy will present its proposals for the development and support of reclamation networks in regions critical for agriculture.

“I never tire of emphasizing the priorities for our industry. European integration is one of the key areas, but it must be done without losing national interest. Other priorities include support for the frontline and near-frontline areas, market development, deep processing of raw materials and irrigation. We strive for sustainable development based on cooperation with you, the farmers,” summarized Vitalii Koval.

The meeting was an important step towards consolidating the efforts of the UAC and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy in addressing the current problems of the agricultural sector.