Ukraine and Poland agreed to simplify grain transit

Ukraine and Poland will introduce new procedures for the transit of Ukrainian grain. The changes are designed to simplify the transportation of agricultural products across the border.

On Friday, March 3, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture of Poland Henryk Kowalczyk met with Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solsky, RMF24 reports.

According to Kovalchyk, the meeting concerned the transportation of Ukrainian grain through Polish territory.

“We have reached conclusions that, on the one hand, will simplify transportation across the border, and on the other hand, will give a full sense of food security in the country,” said the Minister of Agriculture of Poland.

He assured that all products transported from Ukraine to Poland will continue to be subject to very strict phytosanitary control.

“We want Polish food products, as well as animal feed, to be fully protected,” he said.

Kovalchyk also announced new procedures for the transit of Ukrainian grain through Poland. “We also want to introduce guarantees, but without the need for full phytosanitary control, for products that will be transported from Ukraine in transit. Here we have agreed on two ways, depending on the type of transport,” the minister said.

As Kovalchyk explained, in the case of railway transportation, the carrier will be obliged to secure and seal the wagons until the moment of overloading. Inspections will be carried out by the National Tax Administration. It will also require a “very clear indication of the destination” of the cargo. Kovalchyk added that similar procedures will be applied to wheeled transport.

According to him, it is expected that the new decisions will improve the border registration of grain transit.