Kutovyi Taras Viktorovych

Groysman's Minister of Agrarian Policy

A People's Deputy of the VII–VIII convocations, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food in Groysman's government (2016–2018). Graduated from the National Security Service Academy (1997), Kyiv National Economic University and MIM-Kyiv (MBA). Candidate of Economic Sciences.

Quota of UDAR, BPP and ministerial seat

In 2012, elected to the Rada from Klitschko's UDAR party, in 2014 — from BPP in the same electoral district No. 151 (Lokhvytsia, Poltava region). In April 2016, appointed Minister of Agrarian Policy in Groysman's government under Klitschko's party quota.

VAT for agribusiness giants and the destruction of the State Food and Grain Corporation of Ukraine (SFGC)

Kutovyi lobbied a law on VAT refunds only to certain grain exporters — the tax authorities audited small and medium-sized agrarians but bypassed agribusiness giants. At the same time, the State Food and Grain Corporation of Ukraine was denied VAT refunds amounting to 900 million UAH, while private competitors received refunds. Journalists directly accused the minister of deliberately driving the SFGC to unprofitability to pave the way for its subsequent cheap privatization benefiting structures associated with him.

Bribe-takers among subordinates

In Odesa, the head of the regional phytosanitary inspection Tofan was caught taking a $27,000 bribe; in Kharkiv, a ministry official demanded $150,000 for winning a tender. Kutovyi repeatedly dismissed subordinates, declaring a "fight against corruption."

Died as a result of a Robinson R44 helicopter crash near the village of Tarasenkove in Poltava region — an investigative commission established that the cause was fog and the pilot's lack of flying experience.