This multi-sectoral Strategy sets out a development plan for Ukraine’s agriculture sector and rural areas for the period 2015-2020. Building on strategic documents already in force - including Strategy 2020 and the 2014 Coalition Agreement - it provides a long-term vision for the development of agriculture and rural areas, as well as offering the basis for a stable, predictable and transparent legal framework aimed at improving the business climate, fighting corruption and stimulating investment for the modernisation of the agriculture sector. The Strategy also gives a grounding for the institutional reform necessary for successful follow-up and implementation. The National Strategy and Action Plan for Agriculture and Rural Development provides an integrated, inclusive, equitable and realistic strategic vision and policy framework for reform in the agriculture sector and rural areas for the period 2015-2020. The overall objective is to increase agricultural competitiveness and food security, and to promote rural development in a sustainable manner in line with EU and international standards. Strategic priority 4 establishes a policy system for food security that does not intervene in markets, but ensures physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for all by targeting the most vulnerable populations. A targeted food relief programme, together with effective monitoring of the food security status of the country, will be developed. State intervention will be limited to preventing crisis situations. The vision for Ukraine's agriculture sector In a long-term, ambitious reform process, Ukraine will develop a competitive, export-oriented agriculture sector; an agri-processing industry will produce competitive food products corresponding to international safety and quality standards. Investment and modernisation in the processing industry will allow for the production of more processed and high value added products that diversify the export portfolio. Consequently, Ukraine's position on traditional export markets will be strengthened and trade in new export products to new partner countries will reinforce the positive agri-food trade balance. In the farm sector, healthy and diversified production structures will evolve with the help of a reformed, more flexible land market. Farms of different sizes and orientations will contribute to efficient agricultural production; specialisation and diversification of production, including the development of organic farming, will make it possible for different types of farms to be viable. These developments will be possible in the context of a stable and predictable, simple and targeted modern agricultural policy and support system in which market distorting forms of support, such as price support and coupled payments, are kept to a minimum. The National Strategy and Action Plan for Agriculture and Rural Development lays out how the reform will be implemented in ten main strategic priorities: 1. Business climate, fight against corruption, and setting up of a stable legal framework in line with EU and international standards, in particular by implementing the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement; 2. Land reform; 3. Institutional reform of the Ministry of agrarian policy and food and related state agencies and state owned enterprises; 4. Food security; 5. Taxation; 6. Agri-food production chain development; 7. Rural development – revitalisation of rural areas; 8. Access to international markets, trade policy and export promotion; 9. Research, education and advisory services; 10. Environment and management of natural resources, including forestry and fishery. Each strategic priority is accompanied by an action plan which lays out concrete and pragmatic solutions to the corresponding challenges. Acknowledging the budgetary constraints facing Ukraine, the action plans offer a timetable proposing to start the implementation of pilot projects and "quick-wins" in order to secure some concrete results already in 2015. Rural areas are not just sites of production but also provide for a substantial part of the Ukrainian population a place to live and work. Therefore, great emphasis is placed on a sustainable development of the agriculture sector that fully incorporates the social consequences of reform. With increased efficiency of the agriculture sector, a decline in farm employment was unavoidable but this development was buffered and managed through appropriate policy interventions, preventing disruptions in rural social structures, widespread rural poverty and large scale urban migration. An important step was the creation of new employment opportunities in rural areas – both in the off-farm sector by developing rural businesses and on-farm by diversifying farm production and developing more high value added and organic product options. Strategic priority 8 aims at improving the competitiveness of Ukraine’s agricultural entities through trade liberalisation, reduced trade transaction costs and export promotion. Preparing current assessment of the emergency in the area around Solotvino Salt Mine; preparing the forecast on possible emergency development and developing the recommendations and the Action Plan for preventing a transborder disaster.
乌克兰 · 2015-10-26