Mr Gordeyev reported to the President on the situation in Russia’s agriculture sector. The Agriculture Ministry forecasts a grain harvest of 73 million tons this year, which will be sufficient to satisfy domestic consumption needs and maintain the country’s export potential.
Mr Gordeyev also raised the issue of regulating meat imports. The minister proposed revising preferences accorded to the United States for supplies of poultry to Russia. These preferences were accorded to American producers in light of Russia’s upcoming accession to the World Trade Organisation, but Mr Gordeyev said that, given that bilateral talks between Russia and the U.S. on WTO accession are dragging on, it would make sense to re-examine the issue of maintaining these trade preferences.