The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the decision on the accession of Ukraine to the Agreement establishing the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The accession of Ukraine to the International Fund for Agricultural Development will facilitate the access of agricultural producers to new financial resources for the development of agriculture. In particular, it will provide for Ukrainian farmers:
- · possibility of obtaining inexpensive financial resources by Ukrainian agricultural producers, in particular low-interest loans or grants directed by the Fund to research and implementation of innovative technologies to support agricultural development;
- access to the Fund's database and use of its latest international intellectual and technical developments in the field of agro-industrial complex;
- better opportunities for Ukrainian agricultural producers to participate in tenders of the Fund for the purchase of goods and services for the implementation of programs;
- strengthening the international image of Ukraine as one of the largest producers and exporters of agricultural products on the world market and an active participant in global efforts to fight hunger, as well as strengthening political dialogue and support from the Fund at international political forums.
Joining the Agreement will contribute to the expansion of Ukraine's international cooperation in the agri-food sector, the attraction of additional financial resources for the development of agriculture, the expansion of the use of the latest technologies in agricultural production, and the improvement of the country's food security.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the new version of the deregulation action plan. The document contains almost 100 tasks related to the preparation or adoption by the central bodies of the executive power of decisions aimed at simplifying the conditions of doing business and creating a favorable business climate in all spheres of the economy. The action plan was approved for the implementation of the reform "Improving the Regulatory Environment" within Ukraine Facility, as well as plans for implementing the recommendations of the European Commission regarding the 2023 EU Enlargement Package and priority actions of the Government for 2024. The relevant decision was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers at a meeting on September 3, 2024.
The updated plan includes clear timelines within which executive authorities must cancel, simplify, or improve the tools they oversee – permits, approvals, findings, and the like. Or to prepare and submit for consideration by the Government or to accompany consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of drafts of relevant decisions – if the decision to cancel or optimize instruments is within the competence of these state authorities .
In total, the plan includes about 100 tasks and 140 step-by-step measures aimed at simplifying the conditions for conducting business activities in construction, energy, agriculture, land relations, transport, logistics, information and electronic technologies, foreign economic activity, production, etc.
The plan provides that a significant part of the work of the central executive authorities should be carried out by the end of 2024.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the second reading and as a whole the project of the Law on amendments to some laws of Ukraine on improving the quality of food products, including those consumed by children (reg. No. 5148 ).
The adopted act regulates issues related to the safety and quality of food products and implements EU Regulation No. 1925/2006 on trans-fatty acids, except for trans-fatty acids contained in fat of animal origin.
The law proposes, in particular:
- to establish the maximum content of trans-fatty acids in food products (no more than 2 grams per 100 grams of the total amount of all fats contained in the food product);
- to ban the use of palm oil in traditional dairy products;
- to ban the use of hydrogenated palm oil and other hydrogenated vegetable fats in baby food;
- to prohibit the use of hydrogenated palm oil in food products (confectionery: chocolate, ice cream, etc.);
- to oblige market operators when supplying food products to other producers to provide information on the amount of trans-fatty acids in such products;
- to provide clear and understandable labeling of food products containing palm oil.
Legislative regulation of this issue is the most effective tool for protecting public health.
The law takes into account the best global practice in limiting the content of trans-fats .
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine by Order No. 400 of August 9, 2024 "On Amendments to Certain Regulatory Acts of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine" approved changes to:
- the form of the tax invoice and the Procedure for filling out the tax invoice, approved by Order of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine No. 1307 of December 31, 2015 "On Approval of the Form of Tax Invoice and the Procedure for Filling Out Tax Invoice", registered in the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine under No. 137/28267 on January 26, 2016, as amended ;
- the forms and the Procedure for filling out and submitting value-added tax returns, approved by Order of the Ministry of Finance No. 21 of January 28, 2016 "On Approval of Forms and the Procedure for Filling Out and Submitting Value-Added Tax Returns" and its annexes.
The changes were made due to the new rules for the export of agricultural products . But everyone will have to use the new tax invoice forms and declarations.
The order provides:
1) presentation of the form of the tax invoice in the new edition in connection with its addition with new details;
2) presentation of VAT tax reporting forms in new editions
3) changes to the Procedure for filling out the tax invoice, approved by Order No. 1307, and the Procedure for filling out and submitting VAT tax returns, approved by Order No. 21, with the aim of bringing their provisions into compliance with the requirements of the Tax Code, taking into account the changes made by Laws No. 2918-IX and No. 3706-IX.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine made changes to the Procedure for transportation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors. From now on, the document defines the rules for the transportation of hemp for medical purposes in Ukraine, the plant substance of cannabis and medicinal products made from them (hereinafter – medical cannabis), as well as the preparation of the necessary documents.
The business entities can transport medical cannabis if they have a license to transport narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors. It will be possible to do this either to fulfill the order, or by the economic entities themselves, which have a license for the production, manufacture and/or use of medical cannabis. Another mandatory condition is ensuring the safety of the cargo. The responsibility for this and for the confidentiality of information about transportation will be borne by the head of the business entity. State security companies must be involved in the protection of each transportation, which will comply with the conditions for the protection of valuable cargo.
Cargo can be transported only by road or air transport. Sending medical cannabis by mail or by rail is prohibited.
Transportation will be carried out accompanied by an authorized person appointed by the head of the business entity. The fact of receipt of the cargo will be confirmed by the consignment note indicating the registration number of the motor vehicle, which is signed by an authorized person. This person will keep records of the transported cargo, indicating in a special journal (in paper and/or electronic form) the total weight, the number of seats, the final destination, the number and date of signing the consignment note, the code according to the EDRPOU and the name of the consignee.
Thus, the updated Order will guarantee safe and controlled transportation of medical cannabis through the territory of Ukraine.
