Foreign farmers in Ukraine form association to protect against raiders

MOSCOW. March 16 (Interfax) - European farmers in Ukraine have formed the International Farmers' Association of Ukraine (IFA), Ukrainian media reported, quoting Michel Terestchenko, the association's first president.

Terestechenko is also former mayor of Glukhov and descendant of a dynasty of sugar manufacturers.

The inaugural meeting took place on March 14 near Kiev at a Horsch company venue. The new association includes 63 family-owned agricultural businesses from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Scotland. IFA members in Ukraine have combined land holdings of 275,000 hectares in Ukraine.

The association's mission is to protect foreign farmers from corporate raiders, fraudsters and unscrupulous officials. It will also generate synergies among colleagues, facilitate the exchange of expertise and promote innovative agricultural methods.

The event was attended by Deputy Economy, Environment and Agriculture Minister of Taras Vysotsky, General Director of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) Oleg Khomenko and representatives of the embassies of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark.