Ukraine prepares beef for export to the UK

A 10-day audit of Ukraine’s beef safety and traceability system began on September 7. Successfully passing the audit will allow Ukrainian companies to start exporting cattle meat to the United Kingdom.

British experts will assess the control system at all stages of production — from cattle rearing to slaughter, processing and preparation of export documentation.

The audit will cover:

• state control planning;
• the work of territorial authorities and state veterinary medicine hospitals;
• animal health and movement controls;
• response to disease outbreaks;
• laboratory diagnostics;
• slaughter and processing procedures;
• product traceability;
• veterinary certification procedures;
• border control of shipments.

Ukraine is represented during the audit by Deputy Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Chief State Veterinary Inspector of Ukraine Volodymyr Kusturov, and service specialists.

“Access for Ukrainian beef to the UK market will open up new opportunities for domestic producers. Our task is to demonstrate that Ukraine’s state control system operates consistently and is capable of guaranteeing product safety, traceability and compliance with the requirements of the importing country,” Kusturov said.

The audit also involves staff from the central and territorial bodies of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, veterinary laboratories and representatives of Ukrainian companies.

Tags: UK, Beef cattle, Ukraine