The press service of the government department reported that the 6-month transition period ends on November 24, 2019 and the order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine № 553 from 16.11.2018 “On Approval of Requirements for Import (Transfer) into the Customs Territory of Ukraine of Live Animals and their Reproductive Material, Food of Animal

Origin, Feed, Hay, Straw as well as Side products and Products of Processing” (hereinafter referred as The Order № 553) comes into force. All the trade partners of Ukraine and specialized agricultural associations have already been informed about it.

The draft order № 553 has been elaborated since 2016 by the representatives of business, specialized associations and experts of the EU Technical Assistance project. It meets international requirements and the provisions of the European legislation regarding approximation to the EU requirements. Moreover, at the stage of development of the draft order № 553, Ukraine has complied with the transparency obligations under WTO membership and notified the draft document for the first time in 2016 (G / SPS / N / UKR / 111; G / SPS / N / UKR / 111 / Rev.1).

With the adoption of this Order, the former order of the State Department of Veterinary Medicine of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine № 71 from June 14, 2004 “On Approval of Veterinary Requirements Concerning Import to Ukraine  of State Veterinary Sanitary Control and Supervision”, registered with the Ministry  of Justice of Ukraine on June 23, 2004 under № 768/9367 (with amendments) is considered to be invalid.

According to the Order № 553, Ukraine uses the principles of zoning and compartmentalization. It is consistent with the international practice of “flexibility” in trade when it is allowed to import animals or products from zones or compartments, if not the whole territory of the exporting country is free from any animal disease.

Moreover, the Order aims at reduction of the number of diagnostic tests for live animals that should be carried out on the territory of the exporting country. As a result, the cost loading on market operators planning to import live animals to Ukraine will be reduced.

The Order 553 also includes the requirements to such new categories of food as: composite products, gelatin, collagen, colostral milk, frog legs and snails, 33 categories of side products and products of processing.

The list of the countries and enterprises which have been supplying live animals and their reproductive materials to the customs territory of Ukraine within the last 5 years has been formed. It can be found HERE.

Currently, they negotiate updating of this list and approval of facilities as those, which are eligible to import into Ukraine and meet updated import requirements, with the competent authorities of trading partners.