Today, 312 People's Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada in the first reading adopted draft law No. 5202-d on the creation of an association of water users (WUU) as a basis.

According to the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Roman Leshchenko, the creation of the WUA is the start of the irrigation reform in Ukraine, which already has a clear roadmap, as well as the beginning of a new stage in the development of agriculture.

Bill No. 5202-d provides for:

• creation of an association of water users;
• transfer of part of the land reclamation infrastructure to them for management;
• legal basis for investment in land improvement and simplification of administrative procedures for the construction and operation of land reclamation networks and facilities.

The norms of the document are aimed at preventing the formation of a monopoly on water resources and infrastructure, as well as transparent and fair tariff setting.

“This vote and support for the bill is a gift for all farmers in the arid south of Ukraine! The key to reviving Ukraine's irrigation system is that Ukrainian fields that have dried up for decades due to careless management of irrigation infrastructure have a chance to recover! An impetus for the development of the state's economy,” Roman Leshchenko is convinced.

The Minister of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine added that in this draft law, the developers took into account the results of discussions with international experts and specialized associations. He expressed gratitude to the agrarian committee and parliamentarians for their assistance and constructive criticism.

As a reminder, during the field meeting of the agricultural committee, a resolution was adopted in support of the bill on the unification of water users.

www.minagro.gov.ua