Switzerland provides CHF2.5 mln to support dairy producers in Ukraine

MOSCOW. Aug 24 (Interfax) - Switzerland has allocated CHF2.5 million, or some $100 million, to support dairy producers in the Chernihiv, Kyiv and Sumy regions of Ukraine.

This humanitarian project is being implemented at the request of Ukraine's Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Policy and in cooperation with the Association of Milk Producers of Ukraine, the SaveUA international charity and Ukraine's State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Ukrainian media said on Wednesday, citing the website of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.

The goal of the project is to ensure food safety in the regions by raising the quality and safety of dairy products manufactured in Ukraine and supervising compliance with hygiene rules at such enterprises. In particular, supervising compliance with the rules for milking will help avoid delays in subsequent milk processing, on one hand, and outbreaks of diseases among consumers, on the other hand.

As of August 1, 232 dairy farms confirmed their need for humanitarian aid, among them 96 such producers in the Chernihiv region, 79 in the Kyiv region, and 59 in the Sumy region, the ministry said.

The project, which wraps up in November 2022, is expected to help Ukrainian dairy farms significantly improve their financial situation through the restoration of the products delivery network, it said.

As reported, the Swiss government announced plans in June to provide consultation for more than 100 dairy producers from the three aforementioned regions. Switzerland then sent a group of consultants to Ukraine who advised Ukrainian farmers on how to restore milk production and control the quality and safety of raw milk.