State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection strengthens partnership at EU border: Bilateral Protocol signed with Romanian competent authority

A delegation from the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, led by the Head of the Service Serhii Tkachuk, is on a working visit to the city of Botoșani (Romania). The visit was organised at the invitation of the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority of Romania and is taking place in the format of a trilateral meeting: Ukraine – Romania – Moldova.

During the visit, a bilateral Protocol on Cooperation was signed between the competent authorities of Ukraine and Romania. The document sets out the key areas for further collaboration, including:

• protection of animal health and welfare;
• ensuring the safety of food products;
• control and prevention of transboundary animal diseases;
• strengthening biosecurity and epidemiological surveillance;
• development of border controls for products of animal origin;
• digitalisation and data exchange through European information systems (IMSOC/TRACES, RASFF, ADIS and others).

“These steps are not merely international agreements. They strengthen institutional capacity, expand opportunities for Ukrainian specialists, and create a safer environment for people, animals and the entire food chain. The signed document establishes a modern, harmonised model of cooperation at the EU border, raising the level of safety, transparency and efficiency of controls between our countries,” emphasised Serhii Tkachuk, Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

The conclusion of the Protocol is an important part of Ukraine’s systematic efforts to deepen cooperation with EU member states. Partnership with Romania will help improve controls at the external borders of the European Union, raise safety standards and strengthen Ukraine’s position on the international stage.

The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection will continue working to build an effective model of interaction with European partners, implement high standards and enhance institutional capacities.