The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has updated the Procedure for the use of funds provided for in the state budget to compensate for the costs of humanitarian demining of agricultural land. The relevant document was adopted today, 17 May.

Amendments to the resolution provide for compensation for both farmers whose land has already been demined by certified mine action operators between 24 February 2022 and 15 April 2024, and for farmers who are only planning to start demining their own agricultural land or who work as tenants. The budget for 2024 envisages UAH 3 billion for these purposes. The state will compensate 80% of the cost of demining. According to the resolution, those agricultural producers whose land is located in the de-occupied territory outside the combat zone are entitled to compensation for the demining of agricultural land. The fact that such areas are contaminated with explosive ordnance must be confirmed by the Mine Action Centre based on the results of a non-technical survey conducted by a certified mine action operator.

Farmers whose land was cleared by certified operators between the beginning of the large-scale invasion and 15 April 2024 can already apply for compensation for the cost of demining. To do this, it is necessary to fill out an Application for Compensation and send it to the email address of the Humanitarian Demining Centre, attaching copies of documents confirming the fact of demining: a contract for demining services, a certificate of services rendered, and a document confirming payment for the services rendered. The Humanitarian Demining Centre checks the documents, compiles a list of farmers who meet the requirements and sends the documents to the Commission under the Ministry of Economy, which takes the final decision.

Farmers who are only planning to demine the land they work on can submit applications and related documents for compensation through the State Agrarian Register. The cost of demining will be determined at an open auction in the Prozorro system. Compensation will be provided only once per contaminated site. Farmers against whom Ukraine has imposed sanctions or whose ultimate owners are citizens of the aggressor country will not be eligible for compensation. Farmers in liquidation or bankruptcy, as well as those with tax debts, will also not be allowed to receive compensation.

The resolution aims to create favourable conditions for supporting agricultural production and restoring agricultural production on contaminated/possibly contaminated agricultural land, including in the areas where military operations have ended as well as in the de-occupied territories.