A Russian senator proposes a ban on meat imports

Russian senator Yevgeny Savchenko has proposed the creation of an additional state reserve of canned meat and a ban on meat imports to support the industry and control market prices. The proposal aims to make good use of surplus poultry and pork production, improve full capacity work for canned product enterprises, and serve as an anti-inflationary tool. The Ministry of Agriculture is optimistic about the positive trends in meat production in 2022, exceeding the 100% self-sufficiency target. However, the National Union of Beef Producers expresses concerns over the potential negative effects of duty-free beef imports in 2023, citing a significant reduction in purchase prices and a suspension of investment plans. The lack of significant impact of zero pork duty rates in the first half of the year and the positive growth in livestock and poultry production from January to August this year, with decreases in cattle production but increases in pigs and poultry, support the government's efforts in achieving food security targets.