EBA urges govt to settle uncontrolled removal of raw milk to Crimea

The European Business Association (EBA) has asked Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk to settle the problem of the uncontrolled removal of raw milk from Ukraine to Crimea.

According to a press release issued by the EBA, referring to information from companies-members of the Milk Committee of the Association, the purchase and shipment of raw milk from Kherson and Mykolaiv regions to Crimea by unknown intermediaries creates a shortage of raw milk for Ukrainian milk processing companies which make them cut production.

"For several months in a row unknown intermediaries buy raw milk from farmers without observing veterinary and sanitary rules – without cooling it and conducting antibiotics test – and they send it to the Crimea free economic zone without any documents as Ukrainian law requires," reads the press release.

EBA said that the state faces food security risks and loses tax payments.

"The problem is acute and serious. The European Business Association has asked Arseniy Yatseniuk to equal the supply of raw milk to the Crimea free economic zone to the customs export regime which could be carried out only if international veterinary documents are available. The latter are issued only if all quality and food safety standards are observed," reads the report.

It is also proposed that the tariff regulation of imports of raw milk to the Crimea free economic zone be discussed.