Ukraine strengthens cooperation with the EU to bolster global food security

On 22 October, in Brussels, the latest meeting of the Directorate-General AGRI of the European Commission took place as part of the European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism (EFSCM).

The purpose of the event was to enhance coordination between the public and private sectors, assess risks and exchange solutions in the event of food crises. In particular, against the backdrop of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, which has posed a challenge to the global food system.

Participants in the meeting included representatives from 27 EU member states, 14 EFSCM partners, including Ukraine, and international experts.

Meeting participants discussed:

• implementation of the EU Action Plan for food supply in emergencies;
• ensuring food security during crises;
• interaction between public and private structures;
• monitoring market imbalances and timely response;
• guaranteeing the free movement of food and agricultural resources;
• effective communication with the public to prevent information threats.

Ukraine was represented online by Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi. In his report “The Ukrainian Perspective: The Impact of War on Food Security”, he informed European partners about the state of Ukraine’s food system, Ukraine’s contribution to global supply chains, as well as the state’s measures to support farmers, logistics and humanitarian corridors.

In addition, the Deputy Minister noted that the war creates constant risks for agricultural producers in frontline areas – from crop losses and logistics disruptions to the destruction of energy infrastructure. Nevertheless, Ukraine continues to work on modernising its food risk management system, improving logistics and developing partnerships with European institutions.

‘russia’s full-scale aggression has presented a serious challenge to the global food system. Despite this, Ukraine remains one of the world’s key suppliers of agricultural products and continues to play a strategic role in ensuring food security for Europe and the world. Ukraine’s cooperation with the EU within the framework of the EFSCM is not only a matter of stabilising food markets, but also a contribution to shared security and the resilience of the European space,’ emphasised Taras Vysotskyi.

Background

EFSCM (European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism) – established by the European Commission to enhance preparedness for food crises. The mechanism includes: 27 EU member states, 14 partner countries (including Ukraine), organisations representing all links in the food chain.

The mechanism conducts monitoring of food risks, coordinates actions between states and businesses, provides recommendations on crisis response and communication.