US Secretary of Agriculture: Russia uses food as a weapon and a tool of war

At a press convention on the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack met with Ukraine’s Minister of Agricultural Coverage and Food Mykola Solskyi to enhance coordination between the agriculture and food sectors of the USA and Ukraine and to handle food safety. He said that he signed a Memorandum of Understanding to determine a strategic partnership.

Vilsack mentioned in a assertion. “Since February, the world has witnessed Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine and the deterioration it has triggered to agricultural manufacturing, commerce and most significantly food safety,” he mentioned. mentioned.

“Russia uses food as a weapon and a tool of war”

Mentioning that not solely the Ukrainian individuals have been affected by Russia’s actions, Vilsack said that the Russia-Ukraine War additionally poses nice threats to the international locations in Africa and the Center East that want grains and different fundamental foodstuffs produced in Ukraine. “Russia uses food as a weapon and an instrument of war, and that is one thing the farming group can not stand and endure.” mentioned.

“This is a crucial step ahead”

Emphasizing that Ukraine wants the assist of the world, Vilsack said to the Minister of Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi that the USA is dedicated to serving to to rebuild and strengthen Ukraine’s agricultural sector, “This MOU will strengthen the strategic partnership between our nations and leverage our collective energy to extend productiveness, deal with provide chain points and determine food safety challenges. This is a crucial step ahead and when applied will allow us to raised sort out world food insecurity collectively.” mentioned.

The memorandum of understanding can be in impact for 3 years.

With the Memorandum of Understanding, which can be in impact for 3 years, the USA and Ukraine will alternate constant information and experience on crop manufacturing, rising applied sciences, local weather, good purposes, food security and provide chain so as to improve productiveness and develop each agricultural sectors. they’ll work on it.

The US Division of Agriculture’s Overseas Agricultural Service will present technical help to Ukraine for animal well being, biosecurity, sanitary and phytosanitary controls.