Russian govt to support farmers after food import ban lifted

SOCHI, Nov 18 (PRIME) -- The Russian government will support local farmers if the West abolishes its sanctions and Moscow consequently lifts its food import ban, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said on Friday during the World Grain Forum.

“We will always support our agriculture, and we plan to do it effectively so that our agricultural producers fell safe,” he said answering a corresponding question.

The government understands that sooner or later Russian farmers will have to compete with foreigners on the local market. “And we are ready for competition any moment,” he said.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that the Western countries are not going to lift their sanctions soon, and he is unaware of the time when it may happen. Still, the Russian government will maintain its support to the sector, he said.

In 2014, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated to their worse since the Cold War due to a military conflict in Ukraine. The West introduced sanctions against some Russian individuals and firms and further against the energy and banking sectors. In response, Russia limited food imports from some countries, including the U.S., the E.U., Canada, Australia, and Norway.

End