Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has announced £3 million in funding to enable shipments of Ukrainian grain to Nigeria in 2024.

Barclay set out the package of support for Ukraine while addressing the international community at the Kyiv International Summit: Grain from Ukraine today (Saturday, November 24).

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said after tearing up the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia destroyed over 280,000t of grain in one month, which could have fed “over 1.25 million people for a year”.

“In the face of these relentless and targeted attacks on ports and grain infrastructure, the initiative ensures Ukrainian grain still reaches those most in need while protecting global food security, keeping prices down and strengthening markets.”

Announcing the funding, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “From our government to our farmers, our solidarity with the people of Ukraine remains cast iron,” Barclay said.

“The UK is committed to ensuring Ukraine can continue to export grain to those most in need.

“I am also proud we will be able to share the UK and Defra’s expertise to help Ukraine’s farmland and nature recover from the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam and the impact of the conflict.”

Barclay also updated the conference on the development of the UK’s Grain Verification Scheme, which is being backed with £2 million in funding from the government.

The scheme aims to uses science to determine where grain has been grown and harvested – supporting Ukraine’s efforts to trace and stop theft of grain from occupied regions.

The UK government said further information on the scheme will be unveiled early next year. 

[Agriland]