Government to allocate over 10 bln rubles to compensate agricultural sector for increased feed prices - Mishustin

MOSCOW. Nov 26 (Interfax) - The Russian government will allocate more than 10 billion rubles to compensate livestock farmers for rising feed prices. In addition, more than 6 billion rubles will be provided for the commissioning of new facilities, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a cabinet meeting on Friday.

"The government continues to provide financial assistance to enterprises in the industry. This year, feed prices have risen, including for dairy cattle. As such, enterprises that are engaged in its breeding and maintenance are experiencing financial difficulties," he said. "The government will help such cattle breeders and will provide more than 10 billion rubles to compensate them for part of the cost of buying feed," Mishustin said.

This support measure will stabilize the situation in the industry, preserve the livestock population and the level of production of milk and milk products, the prime minister said.

"Furthermore, we will allocate more than 6 billion rubles in subsidies to the budgets of 35 Russian constituent entities. They will be used to reimburse agricultural producers for a portion of direct costs for the creation of new agricultural facilities and modernization of existing ones. The funds will help them put dairy farms, large fruit and vegetable storage facilities, selection and seed centers and a number of other important facilities into operation," Mishustin said.

A draft bill will also be considered which will allow farmers to apply for state support in electronic form, he said. This is provided for via amendments to the federal law "On the development of agriculture."

With the aid of the new superservice being set up for the agricultural sector it will be possible to fill out an application in just a few clicks. "Modern technologies will help farmers to significantly reduce bureaucratic procedures and qualitatively improve interaction with the authorities," Mishustin said.