Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 17 October (BelTA) – According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Belarus is one of the world’s most successful countries as far as food security is concerned. Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) Vladimir Gusakov made the statement on the air of the Belarusian TV channel ONT, BelTA has learned.

The official said: “There are countries that take care of their own food security by importing food, by relying on high income of the population. Such countries have something to sell to the rest of the world and can use the money to buy food. Why do we have to buy food if we have favorable conditions for making it? Naturally, a certain percentage of import needs to be present on the food market in order to maintain a normal market system and a necessary level of competition.”

As far as scientifically calculated consumption norms are concerned, Belarus has reached an optimal level of consumption of meat and meat products. The level of consumption of milk and dairy products is slightly below optimal while consumption of fish and fish products is close to optimal. “We should focus on consuming sea food bearing scientifically proven norms in mind. The plans are part of the national food security doctrine, which is under development,” said the Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. He added that a similar document was adopted in Russia several years ago.

High food quality, demand for Belarusian products on foreign markets, and integration into the world food market are the most important matters that need to be taken care of in order to advance Belarus to a new food security level. “Belarus makes the same range of products as other countries do — Russia, Ukraine, Poland, the Baltic states, and so on. Making impeccable products is our way. And we were able to secure a breakthrough in these matters in the last few years,” stressed Vladimir Gusakov.