RF not to be faced with shortage of any food products because of sanctions

KHABAROVSK, April 25 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian Agriculture Ministry rules out any possibility of shortages of some food products because of restrictions or sanctions. Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fyodorov said this to reporters when he was asked about consequences of possible restrictions on supplies to Russia from some countries. Practically always there are alternative countries and alternative regions that can promptly begin to supply needed products, he said. In his words, there is a line of countries that offer supplies. "They say we have heard about possible restrictions, and we would like to be the first to supply products alternatively, for example instead of Poland, Lithuania or some other country," he noted. Besides, a position of farmers in Western countries is far from always being the same as that of their governments. The United States is unwilling now to be a friend of Russia, but U.S. producers of poultry, pork and beef ask for access to the Russian market, the minister notes, adding that the influence of farmers in the United States is rather strong. "There are more than six million of voters only, and with family members -- there are tens of millions of voters. It is a very influential force in Europe and the U.S. So, we will work, if not with the administrations (of the countries), then with farmers of France, the Netherlands and Canada," he added. On the whole, there can be some minor delays to substitute supplies, but no noticeable shortages in stores because of political processes are expected for rather a long period, the minister assures. Learn more on itar-tass.com