The Grain Verification Scheme will help track stolen grain from
occupied Ukrainian territories.
The UK will launch a Grain Verification Scheme to track grain
stolen from occupied areas of Ukraine, as part of its landmark
100-year partnership with the country.
Using cutting-edge science to determine where grain has been
grown and harvested, the UK has developed a database to support
Ukraine's efforts to trace and stop grain theft from occupied
regions.
The scheme will strengthen the food security of Ukraine and also
ensure the country remains a major supplier of agricultural
produce worldwide.
Meeting at the Global Forum for Food & Agriculture hosted in
Berlin, Germany, Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with Vitaliy Koval, the Ukraine Minister of
Agrarian Policy and Food ahead of the scheme's launch, before the
database is handed over to Ukraine in the coming
weeks.
, Minister for Food Security
and Rural Affairs, said:
The UK's support for Ukraine is ironclad.
The Grain Verification Scheme will support Ukraine's essential
food supply and helps guarantee their security in the face of
Russian aggression.
Using the latest science, we can track grain to its source –
identifying stolen grain to help Ukraine take back what's theirs.
The Grain Verification Scheme was developed after Ukraine
requested support from G7 countries in tracing grain stolen from
territories under Russian control and sold on the international
market.
The 100-year partnership between the UK and Ukraine broadens and
deepens the relationship of the two countries across defence and
non-military areas, including agriculture.
Global Forum for Food & Agriculture
(GFFA)
Elsewhere at the Global Forum for Food & Agriculture (GFFA),
Food Security Minister has signed a communique
affirming the government's commitment to food security and
sustainable agri-food systems.
The annual conference, attended by more than 60 ministers from
across the world, discussed the importance of sustainable and
resilient agriculture for global food security.
During the event, which focused on bioeconomy this year, the
minister also participated in a ministerial breakout session in
which he drew attention to the need for a global transition
towards low emission fertilisers.
, Minister for Food Security
and Rural Affairs, said:
This government is committed to a farming sector that delivers
for the environment, because without nature there can be no food
production.
The production and consumption of fertiliser remains essential to
maintain UK food security, yet it is responsible for 5% of
greenhouse gas emissions globally.
That's why we are investing up to £15 million in nutrient
management innovation projects to address the challenges related
to fertilisers and nutrient management in agriculture and
supporting farmers with £6.8 million on projects on new digital
tools to plan their nutrient applications and research on
biostimulants and novel fertilisers.
There is a global transition to low emission fertiliser
production to reduce the carbon footprint of British farms, and
this government will foster innovation in the UK to enable higher
nutrient use efficiency; reducing emissions, maximising yields
and improving our farmers livelihoods.
The UK has also allocated Official Development Assistance
Research and Development funding to investigate the potential of
biofertilisers, also known as biostimulants, in enhancing
agricultural yields while preserving natural resources in
developing countries.
