Victims of Tigipko-Otsabrik conflict ask President Poroshenko for help

Victims of the financial conflict between the company Imperia-Agro and TAScombank appealed to the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, the Head of Government Volodymyr Groysman, the Speaker of the Parliament and the MPs of the Agrarian Committee with a request to intervene in the situation and prevent the collapse of the sowing campaign on 3.7 million hectares of land.

This was informed in the letter, which AgroPolit.com received from the agrarians.

"We ask you to intervene in the situation and prevent the collapse of the sowing campaign on 3.7 million hectares throughout Ukraine. This may happen because of the financial conflict between the company Imperia-Agro and TAScombank, hostage to which are 3 thousand farmers from all over Ukraine. The reason for the conflict between these companies was the loan the bank provided for the company in the amount of UAH 300 million. The loan is guaranteed by the commodity stocks of Imperia-Agro (PPP, fertilizers, etc.). The money for these goods was paid by us full or in part to the distribution company Imperia-Agro. The funds have been paid, but we cannot collect our goods," the letter says.

The farmers draw the attention of officials to the following: "Last Friday, on March 30, 2018, it became clear that the bank with hired armed guards blocked the main warehouse of Imperia-Agro, and all company's trading operations were suspended. Now our group has appealed to both sides of the conflict with a request to hand over the purchased products, or to return the money so that we have the opportunity to buy fertilizers and PPP from other suppliers on the market. However, nothing has happened. In a week or two, sowing campaign will begin. If no one hears us and does not help, then 3.7 million hectares of agricultural land will remain without harvest, and 3.040 farmers will lose their jobs."

The farmers' demand for both sides of the conflict is as follows: either the return of the purchased from Imperia-Agro products, or the return of funds so that they can carry out out the sowing campaign.

"If our demands are not met, we will not return home and will not work, but we will breach all the authorities and TAScombank. Trust us, we have nothing to lose. It is the whole our business, this is the business of our life. We will not give it up. With all due respect, Mr. President, Head of Government and MPs, you keep saying that the state is continues its efforts towards supporting agrarians. We appeal to you publicly with a request — help us to defend our rights and not to fail the sowing campaign 2018! Do not allow the bankruptcy of farmers," the letter says.