OREANDA-NEWS. September 24, 2008. The Government plans to set up State Service on protection of fertile lands within the system of Ministry of Agrarian Policy in order to introduce a precise state control over use and protection of lands. Minister of Agrarian Policy Yurii Melnyk announced during a meeting into rational use of agricultural lands, chaired by Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko.

According to the head of Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the draft State Budget for 2009 envisages 95 mn UAH for functioning of this service, out of which 30 mn is planed for purchase of labware. “I consider together with the State Land Inspection which possess wider powers the State Service on protection of fertile lands would ensure implementation of measures envisaged by a law of Ukraine “On the state control over use and protection of lands”, the Minister explained.

Moreover, Yurii Melnyk informed that at the account of main fund of the State Budget for the following year 100 mn UAH is to be allocated for realization of a Program on preserving and recovery of fertility of lands, developed by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.

At the same time, as the Minister put it, financing of programs of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and State Committee for Land Resources ought to be implemented at the account of funds received from land-tax (article 22 “On payment for land”) which, in fact, have to be directed for protection of the land fund. “This norm exists in the law and in 2009 it should be put in action, the funds should flow into general fund of the State Budget,” the top official stressed.

In addition, according to Yurii Melnyk, today the profile department is working over regulating and creation of a respective normative-legal base in terms of use of agricultural lands. In particular, draft laws “On making amendments into certain legislative acts of Ukraine concerning preserving of fertile lands”, “On making amendments into certain legislative acts of Ukraine concerning conservation and agro-chemical certification of lands” have been elaborated.

Minister of Agrarian Policy has expressed his belief the Gov’t would regulate all the problem issues in the mentioned domain and would resume works into protection of lands, preserving and improvement of their fertility.