On April 4, 2018, the Law of Ukraine “On State Control over Compliance with Legislation on Food Products, Feeds, Animal By-Products, Animal Health and Welfare” No.2042 of 18/05/2017 will enter into force. According to the BRDO Office, its implementation creates conditions for the functioning of a system of effective food safety control, but the effective implementation of the Law requires significant financial resources from the state as well as the adoption of about 30 regulations.
The Law introduces a number of positive changes in this sector. In particular, it reintroduces instruments for quality control of products imported in Ukraine within the state border line. For example, it implies the requirements set for equipping border inspection checkpoints to provide the direct control, sampling and research of products by qualified personnel. Today, the Customs officers who actually are not technically equipped carry out this control.
The Law also introduces new regulatory instruments – a general import document and a general veterinary import document, which will confirm state control procedures carried out by market operators.
In addition, the Law provisions introduce a risk-oriented approach to control in this sector and create more favorable conditions for fair businesses. Thus, state control over the implementation of a hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) system will reduce business costs for equipping enterprises to meet sanitary requirements.
It is envisaged to expand a scope of persons to carry out certain measures of state control with the purpose of ensuring timely control. In addition, business will clearly understand the state requirements. The Law provides for that the Ministry of Agrarian Policy should approve the forms of state control acts used by state inspectors/state veterinary inspectors during control procedures.
At present, it is necessary to focus efforts on addressing a number of key issues that threaten the effective implementation of the document. First, providing financial instruments to equip border inspection checkpoints, adequate logistics support for inspectors, etc. Second, working out the necessary regulatory framework to implement the Law. Third, providing the harmonization of sectoral laws in accordance with the EU Regulation 2017/625, which defines the phytosanitary control functions as well.