June 18, 2009
Russia, Belarus reach compromise on dairy trade
Russia, which has recently banned imports of more than 1,000 types of Belarusian dairy products, has signed a mutually acceptable agreement, according to Russian agriculture minister Yelena Skrynnik.
Under the agreement, Russian producers of powdered milk will buy milk from Russian farmers to prevent the dumping of Belarusian powdered milk on the domestic market, Skrynnik said.
In return, Russia will increase the import of Belarusian curd cheese, cheese and butter to meet domestic demand, she said.
Russia and Belarus had developed control mechanism for the implementation of the agreement, Skrynnik added.
