The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to establish four interregional subdivisions of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection at the state border.

According to the document, these will be as follows: Western, Eastern, Southern and Northern interregional main departments. The activities of each such unit will cover several border checkpoints.

The adoption of this decision will allow to create the conditions for the proper implementation by veterinary inspectors of state control over the safety of food of animal origin and the health of live animals transported via the state border.

Moreover, this decision of the Government will enable the transition of the current veterinary inspectors working at the border to the status of civil servants.

"Control over the safety of food products imported to Ukraine from abroad is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture. Today's decision will bring the activities of the State Food Safety and Consumer Protection Service at the border in line with European standards. It will also have a positive impact on the effectiveness of the state’s performance of its functions in monitoring compliance with food safety and animal health law," commented Ihor Petrashko, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine.