Some 31 percent of heads of agrarian companies believe that a risk of illegal seizure of their businesses is high, according to a study presented by a representative of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council Andriy Dykun at the Anti-Raid Forum in Kyiv on Friday.
According to the poll, 44 percent of heads of agrarian enterprises consider the risk of illegal seizure of their business is moderate, 14 percent – low, 8 percent – there is no danger, 1 percent – the business was/is illegally seized, 3 percent – refused to respond.
When asked whether businessmen consider their business to be protected against illegal seizures, 23 percent answered “no”, 48 percent – “rather no”, 21 percent – more “yes” than “no,” 2 percent – “yes”, and 5 percent refused to answer.
According to the poll, 64 percent of respondents consider corruption in law enforcement agencies to be the main reason for illegal seizures, 38 percent – confusion and imperfection of legislation, 15 percent – low legal literacy of farmers, 8 percent – another, and 4 percent – refused to respond.
The study shows that 39% of agricultural producers surveyed see associations of farmers (nongovernmental organizations and movements) as the main means of combating corruption and illegal seizures and 36 percent – changing the current legislation.
The poll also shows that the problem of illegal seizures is especially acute for farmers in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine.
The survey was conducted by telephone interview method from June 25 through August 2 among 500 heads of agrarian enterprises (in all regions of Ukraine), members of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council. The standard deviation is +/-4.5%. Analytical support and processing of the results of the research was carried out by the Social Monitoring Center.
