BRIC agriculture chiefs to promote cooperation.

MOSCOW, March 26 (Itar-Tass) -- Agriculture ministers from Brazil,
Russia, India, and China (BRIC) will meet in Moscow for the first time on
Friday to promote cooperation and lift existing barriers.
The ministers will discuss food security, state policy in food
provision to most vulnerable strata of the population, and reducing
negative impact of climate change.
The meeting will end with a joint declaration and the ministers will
then meet Russian business representatives.
The Russian Agriculture ministry said BRIC countries produce 40
percent of global wheat (over 260 million tons), 50 percent of pork (over
50 million tons), over 30 percent of poultry (over 30 million tons), and
30 percent of beef (some 20 million tons).
However, it said there are various obstacles restricting trade between
the countries, including import restrictions.
Thus, China would like to lift the Russian ban on imports of live
animals, meat and dairy products, while Russia wants to export wheat to
China and Brazil.
Russia accounts for 65 percent of Brazilian meat exports, 22 percent
of Indian tea sales, while China imports 40 percent of Russian fish.
-0-nec