The government discussed creating a stockpiles agency on Thursday.

A memorandum put forward by Minister of State Administration Jaak Aab reads that the COVID-19 epidemic has highlighted deficiencies in ensuring supply security in emergencies. Members of the government will discuss matters pertaining to national stockpiles and a potential supplies agency.

Aab, who was in charge of personal protective gear supplies during Estonia's coronavirus emergency situation, said that what is being discussed is an agency to manage all crisis stockpiles currently scattered in the administrative areas of different ministries.

"It requires separate competency as these stockpiles need to be constantly updated, rotated, sold or procured. The proposal includes the creation of a corresponding agency," Aab said.

The state is currently obligated to maintain medicines, food, basic commodities, liquid fuel and military stockpiles. Aab added that there are other things that need to be stockpiled to be prepared for crises, such as animal feed and veterinary drugs.

According to Aab, ministries and coalition partners will now take some time to bring themselves up to speed on the situation and shape positions.

The minister said that he will remain in charge of protective gear supplies until the end of the year. "This also entails creating a central stockpile for autumn that was decided on Thursday."

The state administration minister added that this central stockpile of personal protective equipment should also be managed by a single agency.

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