Ukraine bans transit of Russian grain via its seaports

Ukraine intends to ban import of Russian grain to its territory from July 4, which goes by transit via Ukrainian ports to foreign markets, due to the threat of the aphtha infection.

First Deputy Agricultural Policy and Food Minister Ivan Bisiuk has said about this, Ukrinform reports with reference to Kommersant Ukraine.

“I had telephone conversations with Rosselkhoznadzor head Sergey Dankvert, during which he informed about the appearance of the aphtha infection on the Russian south. Due to the threat of this disease's removal to Ukraine's territory, it was decided to ban supply of Russian grain, which goes mainly by transit via Ukrainian ports to foreign markets,” a representative of the Ukrainian agricultural business noted.

Participants in the Ukrainian grain market consider the authority's decision as an adequate decision for the problem's solution. “This decision will not tell on Ukraine's grain traders, however, it will help removing the aphtha infection risks to Ukraine's territory,” Deputy Director of the largest in Ukraine grain exporter Nibulon company Andriy Vadatursky noted.

In his opinion, this may have a negative impact on Ukrainian ports and stevedoring companies, engaged in transshipment of Russian grain.

However, according to Director General of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation Serhiy Stoyanov, the ports' losses will be minimal.

“Over nine months of 2012-2013 marketing year, transit of Russian grain made up only 12,000 tons. For comparison, Ukraine exported 23 million tons over the whole season,” he said.

To remind, according to Rosselkhozhadzor, aphtha focuses were revealed in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic and in Krasnodar Krai districts, bordering on it.

The Rosselkhoznadzor's press service informed that Ukraine used the fact that following the Russia's WTO accession the service lost the function to issue veterinary supporting certificates for plant products. Now “Ukraine may allow grain supplies to Ukrainian ports only on availability of veterinary supporting documents with a note that grain was grown in the regions, free from aphtha. Since the Russian service does not issue such documents, Ukraine went to banning of Russian grain imports,” Rosselkhoznadzor stated.

Adapted from ukrinform.ua