October 18, 2007

 

Belarus to introduce quotas and licensing for meat and dairy exports

 

 

Belarus intends to introduce the assignment of quotas and licensing for exports of meat and dairy products, a source close to the Belarussian government told the Prime-Tass economic news agency on Wednesday (October 17, 2007)

 

A draft resolution would regulate exports of pork, beef and poultry meat, as well as whole-milk products, butter and cheese.

 

"Export of these products, would require a license from the country's Trade Ministry," the source told the newspaper.

 

He said the draft resolution also includes the introduction of export quotas for meat and dairy products.

 

The amount for these quotas would be coordinated with the president, the source said.

 

Belarus earlier imposed restrictions on exports of butter and cheese to cater to demand in the domestic market.

 

Higher dairy prices in neighboring Russia meant that farmers in the country were exporting excessive amounts.

 

Production of whole-milk products in Belarus rose 10.5 percent in the first eight months of the year compared to the same period last year

 

Production of whole-milk products reached 911,900 tonnes, while cheese production grew 12.3 percent to 74,600 tonnes, according to the Belarussian Statistics Ministry.

 

However, the production of butter declined by 3.6 percent to 61,000 tonnes.