March 29 2004, 10:34 Interfax-Ukraine

Ukraine's gvt intends to switch onto protein-based wheat quality standards in 2004

According to Ukraine's Vice-Prime Minister for Agriculture Ivan Kyrylenko, Ukrainian government is planning to introduce in 2004 new quality standards for wheat, Interfax-Ukraine news agency informed.

The Cabinet of Ministers has ordered the Agrarian Policy Ministry, the state authority for consumer standards and other relevant institutions until May 1 to work out the corresponding national quality standards, which will be assessing the quality of wheat on the basis of protein, but not the gluten content, which has been the case until now, Kyrylenko said.

"Starting from this year, wheat will be sold both into regional resources and for export in accordance with globally recognised standards. Each grain elevator and storehouse will have to pass certification to become eligible for handling grain", he said.

He noted that according to the world-wide standards, only the wheat with no less than 12 percent protein content might be graded as food-quality one.