Poland opens extra border crossing for Ukrainian grain

MOSCOW. June 1 (Interfax) - Poland has decided to temporarily exempt plant-origin animal feeds, including forage grain cargoes, from veterinary control during their transit through Polish territory to third countries, a move that will allow Ukraine to export agricultural products via the Rava Ruska- Werchrata border crossing.

These simplified grain export rules took effect on May 31, the Ukrainian media said, citing deputy director of the Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) commercial department Valeriy Tkachev.

"It means that such cargoes can be imported into Poland through any crossings - both rail and land ones. Upon entry, such cargoes will undergo only customs clearance at the border. Thus, the passage of carriages with grain cargoes through the Rava Ruska-Werchrata crossing will be allowed. It will help increase grain exports from Ukraine," Tkachev said on social media.

As reported, Ukraine and Poland on May 17 reached an agreement on the possibility of grain transit through joint border inspection posts and on ensuring its rail transit via the Werchrata- Rava Ruska, Medyk-Shehyni and Kroscienko-Smilnytsia border crossings.

In addition, the parties agreed to increase the number of Polish veterinary inspectors on the border with Ukraine to 19 and to shift them to a round-the-clock work schedule at the most congested border crossings.

The Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development of Poland agreed on May 11 to enhance the logistics capabilities of the joint border.