The Verkhovna Rada has voted in favor of introducing a moratorium on businesses inspections until July 1, 2016.

Some 247 deputies voted in favor of adopting draft law No. 3153 on a temporary moratorium on business inspections at first reading.

However, the Rada voted against considering the bill at second reading.

According to the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada committee on industrial policy and entrepreneurship, Viktor Halasiuk, the moratorium will apply to 40 out of the 51 inspectorates.

"What do we need this moratorium for? The previous moratorium allowed for reducing the number of planned inspections by 72 times, and twice the number of unplanned [inspections]," the MP said.

According to Halasiuk, the moratorium on business inspections will encourage the government to reform the regulatory system to bring it in line with European standards.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Aivaras Abromavicius urged the deputies to support the bill as, in his opinion, all inspectorates repress businesses.