The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food has expanded the Criteria for identifying enterprises, institutions and organisations of significant importance to the national economy in the agricultural sector during a special period (the Criteria).

In particular, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy’s order has expanded the Criteria regarding the area of cultivated land (at least 500 ha instead of 1,000 ha) and the average number of insured employees (at least 20 people instead of 50).

New codes have also been added to the Classification of Economic Activities (CEA), namely:

· 21.20 Manufacture of pharmaceutical products and materials (relating to veterinary medicines);

· 46.14 Intermediary activities in the trade of machinery, industrial equipment, ships and aircraft;

· 28.93 Manufacture of machinery and equipment for food and beverage production and tobacco processing.

For reference: Order No. 223 of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy dated 21 February 2023 approved the Criteria for determining enterprises, institutions and organisations of vital importance to the national economy in the agricultural sector during a special period (as amended).

To obtain the status of a critically important enterprise in the agricultural sector, it is necessary to meet three or more of the criteria approved by Resolution No. 76 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Once the status of a critically important enterprise, institution or organisation has been obtained, an application must be submitted to reserve employees liable for military service, as specified in the section ‘Where to submit an application for reservation’.