Representatives of a number of industry associations of the agri-food sector sent a letter to the government, in which they proposed a number of measures aimed at maintaining the financial and economic stability of companies in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and the weakening ruble. milknews got acquainted with the document. The letter was signed by General Director of the National Union of Milk Producers (Soyuzmoloko) Artem Belov, Executive Director of the Russian Fat and Oil Union Mikhail Maltsev, Chairman of the Board of the Union of Sugar Producers of Russia (Soyuzrossakhar) Andrei Bodin, President of the Russian Flour Association Natalya Zagorskaya, General Director of the National Union of Poultry Breeders Lakhtyukhov, Executive Director of the Rusbrand Association of Manufacturers of Branded Trademarks Alexei Popovichev, President of the Union of Producers of Soft Drinks and Mineral Waters Maxim Novikov and Executive Director of the Association of Confectionery Enterprises ASKOND Vyacheslav Lashmankin.
Representatives of industry organizations proposed to introduce a moratorium on changes in legislation, including supranational (technical regulations of the Customs Union), which worsen business conduct, and also delay the entry into force of certain regulatory documents
In addition, it is proposed to establish a moratorium on the introduction of new environmental and recycling fees, to finalize the concept of extended producer responsibility with the participation of the business community, to temporarily abolish the requirements for food and processing enterprises regarding the obligation to obtain a comprehensive environmental permit.
In the sphere of relations between producers and trade, it is proposed to oblige retail chains to fix provisions in supply contracts that would establish a moratorium on penalties and forfeits for short delivery and untimely delivery of food products, as well as on actions to promote such goods at a reduced price.
According to the authors of the letter, it should also temporarily abolish import customs duties on priority goods, including equipment, agricultural machinery and spare parts for them, feed ingredients (amino acids, vitamins, etc.), veterinary preparations, raw materials and semi-finished products, others goods used in agricultural production and food industry.
Representatives of industry organizations also believe that maintaining the stability of enterprises will be facilitated by an increase in preferential short-term lending and a decrease in the maximum credit rate to 2%.
In addition, the authors of the letter called on the government to monitor and control prices for mineral fertilizers, plant protection products, fuels and lubricants and energy for agricultural enterprises and the processing industry, as well as ingredients that make up a significant share in the costs of agricultural production. They also called for the introduction of the practice of accelerated procedures (temporary declaration) for customs clearance of import of seed material, plant protection products, spare parts for agricultural machinery, food additives and ingredients, spare parts and consumables for imported equipment for the processing industry, as well as for free movement inside countries of finished products, raw materials, ingredients, packaging. The letter also proposes to establish simplified procedures for crossing the borders of the Russian Federation for Russian and foreign workers in critical professions, ensuring the continuous operation of enterprises in the industry (information technology specialists, engineering specialists, managers). The authors of the appeal also spoke in favor of organizing a stable and priority provision of agricultural and food industry enterprises with personal protective equipment, disinfectants, and non-contact thermometers.