“On some products Belarusians traditionally lower prices,” – Kommersant

Russia may impose a ban on milk from Belarus. Rosselkhoznadzor has threatened to ban the supply of the country. This is stated on the site office. Claims related to the quality of products. Today the head of the Rosselkhoznadzor Sergey Dankvert held telephone talks with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Belarus Alexandra Subbotina. In an interview, he said that does not meet the requirements, in particular milk powder. If violations are found again, Rosselkhoznadzor promised to limit the import of dairy products from Belarus either as a whole or to individual companies. Chairman of the Board of Experts of the Association of Retail Andrew Karpov replied to leading “Kommersant FM» questions Peter Kosenko

-. We all know that Belarus – is one of the largest if not the largest exporter of dairy products in our country. Already about 300 tons this year, only the Belarusian dairy products were delivered. How serious can be hit if the start, for the umpteenth time, supply disruptions out of milk products

-? Yes, indeed, Belarus occupies a market share imports about 50%. This proportion in total consumption of about 10%. Share, in general, is evident in the Central Region, in the North-West region of Russia.

And for some products traditionally have lower rates of Belarusians – for example, cheeses, on the oil, and this makes the Russian producer to adjust the price. Therefore, the potential withdrawal, for example, data of producers from the market will actually make domestic producers more price increase

-. Only yesterday we scared by the fact that almost every Russian second liter of milk – chalk, gypsum and even god knows that some acid; Today – Belarusian products, which also did not meet the quality standards. If these two factors are suddenly aligned, if indeed Rosselkhoznadzor will begin strictly apply the measures to all dishonest, in his view, the producers, does not cause this increase in prices or a shortage in the dairy market?

– This can cause the contrary, some problems in the dairy market, or associated with a decrease unconsumed milk consumption. Here slightly different positions on this issue by Rospotrebnadzor and Rosselkhoznadzor. Still checking domestic producers, which is produced in Russia – it is the prerogative of Rospotrebnadzor, so such statements by Rosselkhoznadzor in relation to the Russian producers is a bit surprising. Surprisingly even the fact that they are afraid to name specific companies culprits that, it would probably be more accurate to

-. They are afraid or can not? Here is an important, fundamental question

-. They are afraid of, most likely, a flurry of lawsuits that instantly go to the address of the Rosselkhoznadzor. This suggests that the position from the point of view of the law is weak in the Rosselkhoznadzor, despite the fact that he orders some investigations at the federal state unitary enterprise, probably subordinate to the Rosselkhoznadzor. Therefore, such statements are, of course, should be done very carefully. On the other hand, you can draw attention to the fact that the problem of counterfeiting is not even new – it has raised more than 100 years ago, even under the tsarist regime, and this long-standing problem of falsification of milk products

– Mr. Karpov, agree that 100 years ago, probably was diluted with milk some water

– Others were technology

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– Other technologies were not so dangerous to health. Still now, unfortunately, when it comes to fake, very often emerge some quite horrendous cases where completely inedible things added products. Returning to the problem of quality issue how experience Belarus dairy products as compared, for example, with domestic quality really? Who is the greatest sin issues careless attitude to production, to technology?

– careless attitude usually err smaller manufacturers. Such is, as we have in Russia and Belarus. As a rule, the larger manufacturers of quality control is adjusted, and far fewer questions there with them. On the other hand, it is necessary all the facts that come to light, immediately communicate to the public, simply close such production, which allow such violations, then we’ll probably still closer to the fact that the share of counterfeit products will be much less.

– one more question, a political factor: how much it affects matters in relations with Belarus in this case in terms of the food? Because somehow coincided today that just played, Alexander Lukashenko, who said that he is committed to the establishment of a fully neighborly relations with Europe, in fact – is aimed at the conclusion of a strategic partnership with the European Union. And then it turns out that the Belarusian milk are not very high quality. Can influence policy

-? In fact, the political factor plays quite a big role.

In addition, despite the fact that Belarus is like as said that he would support Russia’s actions in respect of various special economic measures which Russia imposed against European producers and not only in Europe, while at the same time, some transit products in Russia through Belarus continues. And recently we have heard about and African products. Accordingly, here too it is jelly is the registry, so this time, too, stands as one of the main on the agenda.