The Association of Agricultural Producers of the Kostanay Region proposed to limit the import of wheat by road and introduce dumping controls. The ban on wheat import expired on January 1, and farmers are calling on government agencies to keep the situation under control.
“A separate body has not yet been created to regulate the import of wheat; we propose creating a Food Corporation, and the criteria for determining who should be allowed to import should be adopted collectively, taking into account the opinion of businesses. We propose allowing the import of grain only by rail. Import by road should be left only for the delivery of seeds,” said Svetlana Mikhaylenko, Director of the Association of Agricultural Producers, during an industry council on agricultural issues.
According to farmers, dumping should also be controlled. And if the prices for imported products in Kazakhstan are lower than the average in the supplier country, then, if necessary, an anti-dumping investigation should be initiated within the EAEU.
The Association also proposed other measures to support the agro-industrial complex: to stimulate farms to increase the share of high-quality grain production, to help farmers obtain international certificates. Today, there are many examples when certificates were received by companies without assets, and those who invest in enterprises wait for years for permission to send products to China. It is extremely important to reach an agreement with Russia on equalizing conditions in grain trade and the possibility of limiting the export of cheap Russian wheat to Kazakhstan. For the sustainability of the farmer, if necessary, provide tax breaks and deferrals of payments.
"To support farmers, it is important to increase the volume of grain purchases for state reserves, if necessary (price collapse, railway congestion), use the Eurasian Economic Commission to discuss planned restrictions with the consent of other participating countries. It is necessary to use all available mechanisms to maintain the stability of the industry, on which other industries largely depend - processing, mechanical engineering and the rural population in general," Svetlana Mikhailenko emphasized.
Based on the results of the industry council, the Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Kostanay Region will send all proposals to the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan and local executive bodies.