Grain export restrictions imposed by Russia over drought-temporary

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17/10 Tass 37

NIIGATA, October 17 (Itar-Tass) - Grain export restrictions, imposed
by Russia over the last summer's drought, are temporary, said on Sunday
Russian Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik in the Japanese city of
Niigata, speaking at a news conference on the results of the three-day
meeting of agriculture ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
forum, dealing with problems of food security.
Restrictions on grain export till this December 31 were clamped down
by Russia over the scorching drought last summer and considerable losses
of foods, the minister said. According to Skrynnik, Russia now takes
efforts to return to the world grain market and to reach the previous
level of supplies. The earlier restrictions "is a measure of temporary
nature", Skrynnik emphasised.
The APEC meeting organisers noted that the same topic was mentioned at
a meeting between the Russian minister and her Japanese counterpart
Michihiko Kano in Niigata on Saturday. However, a day of lifting the
Russian embargo was not specified.
The Japanese delegation noted that the Japanese minister expressed
interest in deepening bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector,
including the sphere of enduring regional food security for a long-term
perspective.
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