Britain begins audit to allow Ukrainian beef onto its market
An audit of the state control system for the production and export of beef has begun in Ukraine; successful completion is a necessary condition for opening the British market to Ukrainian producers. The inspection will last from 7 to 17 September 2026.
The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection reported this.
Over the course of seven working days, experts will assess the entire product journey — from cattle rearing to slaughter, meat processing and export veterinary certification.
They will also inspect the state control system, the work of territorial bodies and state veterinary institutions, compliance with requirements for animal health and movement, as well as the actions of Ukrainian services in the event of disease outbreaks.
The audit programme also includes laboratory diagnostics, slaughter and processing procedures, product traceability and control of export consignments at the state border.
On the Ukrainian side, the inspection involves Deputy Head of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection and Chief State Veterinary Inspector of Ukraine Volodymyr Kusturov, specialists from the central apparatus and territorial subdivisions of the service, veterinary laboratories and Ukrainian enterprises.
According to Kusturov, opening the British market will create new opportunities for Ukrainian producers. To achieve this, Ukraine must demonstrate that the current control system is capable of guaranteeing product safety, traceability and compliance with the importing country's requirements.
Work on Ukrainian beef access to the British market is not new. In October 2025, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection reported on a remote audit of the Ukrainian control system conducted by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — DEFRA.
At that time, the British side also assessed state control over meat production, processing and export, animal health, and product safety and traceability. The results of the inspection were expected to form the basis for further negotiations between the competent authorities of the two countries and agreement on veterinary certificates.
The current audit is another stage in the market-opening procedure. Its start does not yet mean that Ukrainian enterprises have automatically gained the right to supply beef to the United Kingdom: export can begin only after successfully passing the assessment and completing the required arrangements between the Ukrainian and British sides.
