On October 22 in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium, a regular meeting of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) took place within the framework of the European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism (EFSCM).
The event aimed to strengthen coordination between the public and private sectors, assess risks, and share solutions in the event of food crises, particularly in the context of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, which has posed a challenge to the global food system.
Representatives from 27 EU member states, 14 EFSCM partner countries including Ukraine, and international experts participated in the meeting.
Participants discussed:
- Implementation of the EU Emergency Food Supply Action Plan;
- Ensuring food security during crises;
- Cooperation between public and private entities;
- Monitoring market imbalances and timely response;
- Guaranteeing the free movement of food and agricultural resources;
- Effective public communication to prevent information threats.
Ukraine was represented online by Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Taras Vysotsky. In his report, “The Ukrainian Perspective: The Impact of War on Food Security”, he informed European partners about the state of Ukraine’s food system, Ukraine’s contribution to global supply chains, and government measures to support farmers, logistics, and humanitarian corridors.
The Deputy Minister also noted that the war continues to create constant risks for agricultural producers in frontline territories — from loss of harvests and logistics to the destruction of energy infrastructure. Nevertheless, Ukraine continues to work on modernizing food risk management systems, improving logistics, and developing partnerships with European institutions.
“Russia’s full-scale aggression has posed a serious challenge to the global food system. Despite this, Ukraine remains one of the world’s key suppliers of agricultural products and continues to play a strategic role in ensuring food security in Europe and globally. Ukraine’s cooperation with the EU within EFSCM is not only a matter of stabilizing food markets but also a contribution to shared security and resilience across Europe,” emphasized Taras Vysotsky.
Background
EFSCM (European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism) was established by the European Commission to enhance readiness for food crises. The mechanism includes 27 EU member states, 14 partner countries (including Ukraine), and organizations representing all links in the food supply chain.
The mechanism monitors food risks, coordinates actions between governments and businesses, and provides recommendations on crisis response and communication.
