WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Ukraine signed a veterinary and phytosanitary protocol agreement with China to export rapeseed meal, according to a Dec. 19 Global Agricultural Information Network report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The USDA expects the agreement will expand Ukraine’s rapeseed processing but does not believe that an impact of this agreement will be felt until marketing year 2020-21.

Before exports begin, the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) will inspect Ukraine’s system of phytosanitary controls.

According to the report any crushing facility that plans to export to China must meet the mandatory requirement of a functioning HAACP system in place. The facility is subject to inspections by both the GACC and Representatives of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection of Ukraine (SSFSCP).

The USDA said an approved facility must include veterinary and phytosanitary certificates with each batch of exported product.

The new export protocol is expected to reduce Ukraine’s export of rapeseed meal to the E.U. According to the report, currently the E.U. is the final destination for 80% to 90% of all of Ukraine’s rapeseed exports.