OREANDA-NEWS. July 26, 2010. President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych met with Minister of Agrarian Policy Mykola Prysiaghniuk. At the meeting the officials have discussed the situation in agro-industrial sector, particularly the progress of this year’s harvest collection.

President Yanukovych pointed to the necessity to form a food reserve to ensure food security. He instructed the Agrarian Fund to purchase at least 4 - 4.5 million tons of grain.

Viktor Yanukovych also instructed to begin preparations for the autumn field works, particularly to provide mechanisms for lowering costs of fuel and lubricants, as well as providing farmers with fertilizers, pesticides, and credit resources.

Separately, the President instructed to speed up elaboration of the program of development of dairy and beef cattle industry.

According to Mykola Prysiaghniuk, due to difficult weather and climatic conditions the harvest is expected to be 42.5 million tons instead of 46 million forecast in May. Given the refined forecast the total grain exports in 2010 - 2011 marketing year will be 16 million tons.

After hearing the report on the progress and schedule of the agrarian reforms, Viktor Yanukovych reminded the Minister of his personal responsibility for their implementation and harmonization of Ukrainian standards in agriculture with those of the EU.