Russia & Ukraine

This book provides an overview of general legal and technical requirements for food and agricultural imports and exports imposed by the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Many of Russia's food and trade regulations have or are undergoing reform as the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Union (CU) continues policy integration. Russia also continues to adjust policies pursuant to its recent WTO accession. In practice, Russia continues coordinating policy reform closely with the European Union, and as a result, changes in regulation reflect those of its primary trade partner. Additionally, the Ukraine possesses a complicated and costly food safety system inherited from the Soviet Union. Controls are implemented by various state agencies that often have overlapping functions. In late 2010, the Government of Ukraine started a major reform of the regulatory system aimed at reducing the number of controlling bodies and clear separation of their authorities.