Translated material
Vegetarians willy-nilly
Over the past decade, the number of cattle has decreased by almost 30 million heads (from 57 million in the early nineties to the current 27), and the number of cows has decreased from 20.5 million in 1990 to the current 12.9 million heads. If this rate of slaughter continues, then, according to representatives of the Meat Union, in a few years the domestic meat industry will simply disappear. The Ministry of Agriculture believes that things are going quite well: the revival of the meat industry is about to begin, and in 10-15 years it will be restored even the number of cows declining at an unprecedented rate.
But even in the current reduction in livestock, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food sees only positive aspects. Such optimism can be explained simply: a reduction in the number of livestock allows ministry representatives to report significant successes in meat production. Thus, according to First Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Sergei Dankvert, over the 10 months of this year, meat production increased by 3.3% compared to last year. Including cattle meat - by 1%, pork - by 8%, poultry meat - by 5%. According to Mr. Dankvert, such successes were achieved mainly due to a good grain harvest. According to Interfax, about 64.5 million tons of grain were harvested this year (the annual demand is about 70 million tons - Ed.). This is 10.7 million tons more than in the lean year of 1999. However, the first deputy minister did not explain that almost all of the collected grain is food grain.
Experts believe that it was precisely because of the lack of feed, in particular feed grain, that peasants slaughtered livestock in an emergency mode and therefore meat production increased. This situation will continue next year. In 2001, according to experts, the shortage of feed grain will be 3-5 million tons. It is possible that in ten years soy cutlets will replace meat not only on the tables of convinced vegetarians, but also among ordinary chop lovers.