Roman Leshchenko appointed Agrarian Minister

Today, December 17, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Parliament) has adopted a resolution on the appointment of Roman Leshchenko as Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, who previously held the position of Chairman of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre (StateGeoCadastre).

The relevant decision was supported by 242 MPs. 7 voted against it, 69 abstained and 45 did not vote.

"We need an effective state policy in the agro-industrial complex, as well as the protection of Ukrainian producers. The first step is the appointment of an agrarian minister," stated the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.

Roman Leshchenko claimed that the commodity type of agricultural production is not what Ukraine deserves and the strategy requires a detailed discussion with all actors, including MPs.

"Reestablishment of the Ministry for Agrarian Policy is a matter that concerns all agriproducers of Ukraine without exception. Everyone understands that the agricultural sector must have a clear development strategy with a clear institutional position, a view of the complex in 10 years," said the Minister.

As a reminder, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine were merged in August 2019. Tymofiy Mylovanov headed the newly formed Ministry then.