December, 17 at 11:00 AM more than 15 thousand representatives of relevant agricultural associations, farmers' organizations, villagers and city residents will gather outside the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (str. Grushevskogo, 5) demanding the preservation of the current provisions of the Tax Code dealing with the agriculture special tax regime.

Farmers’ protest will be held under the slogan: "Do not let to destroy Ukraine! No villages - no state! ". The strike committee, formed out of representatives of the Agrarian Union of Ukraine, Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, Ukrainian Agrarian Council, the Agrarian Party of Ukraine, the Association of Poultry Farmers of Ukraine, Ukrainian Agribusiness Club, Association of Farmers and Private Landowners, emphasizes that the proposed by government cancellation of the special VAT regime and simplified taxation of farmers from the next year for the agricultural sector will lead to the destruction of the economic system, provoke social and political instability in the country:

An unemployment rate will rise. More than 100 thous Ukrainians will lose their jobs due to the close of agribusinesses and cutting of workplaces in the processing sector. Farm and family enterprises also small and medium entrepreneurs will be destroyed as a class. Tens of thousands of jobs for self-employed will disappear;

Prices for the most essential food will increase sharply. The food security of the nation will be in danger. Food prices will increase by at least 30% because of a sharp reduction in the production of meat and milk;

Social and political instability will deepen. Most Ukrainians will be on the brink of survival without livelihood, without available food that will provoke another social crisis and lead to the political instability;

A sharp depreciation of the national currency will take place due to the fall of production in the industry, which generates a third part of GDP and provides 40% of foreign exchange earnings.

Representatives of the core Associations emphasize the inadmissibility of violation of Ukrainian legislation, which clearly stipulates that any tax changes may come into effect no earlier than 6 months before the new fiscal year, in other words the proposed by government draft of laws should have been reviewed not later than on July,1 2015. Special tax regime saving was provided by Coalition Agreement and Programme of Government’ Actions. Such disregard to promises undermines investors’ confidence in Ukraine as in a reliable partner.

Farmers require Verkhovna Rada to protect Ukraine and the rights of Ukrainians, namely to refuse the support the government’s draftlaw, which actually cancels the special VAT regime for the agricultural sector and repeals a simplified taxation system. They appeal to the President to guarantee the constitutional rights, namely to ensure the terms of the Ukrainian legislation. Require government to abandon the reckless acts that may lead to the economic collapse and destruction.

In case if even this time, the demands of the Ukrainians will be despised, farmers keep the right to begin indefinite strike throughout Ukraine and demand the government's resignation because of its unprofessionalism.