Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Zubkov, we have discussed the drought several times. Unfortunately, the situation is worsening rather than improving. The number of the regions affected by the drought has increased from 14 or 15 to many more. I know that you have toured those regions, meeting with local authorities and heads of local companies. I think you should monitor the situation more closely. I ask that you establish a task group to monitor the situation week by week. We have discussed this; the support measures that have been approved include subsidies and grants. How is this work progressing?

Viktor Zubkov: Mr Putin, the situation is indeed difficult because 23 regions are now suffering from drought and have declared a state of emergency. The government has taken all the necessary decisions; we must now ensure they are implemented. Acting on your instructions, we are establishing a task group, which I will chair. We have started monitoring the situation and are working jointly with governors to ensure that the decisions taken on budget loans, subsidies, direct grants and, if necessary, loan prolongation and the sale of grain from the intervention fund are implemented in the regions and reach farms as soon as possible.

The main thing now is that there is no procrastination, which is why I am in direct contact with the governors. At the end of this week I will hold a conference call with the regions, and this is something I will continue to do each week, to ensure I am fully abreast of developments and so that decisions can be made promptly on the provision of practical assistance to the affected regions.

The situation is especially difficult in dairy breeding, which is why I will also hold a meeting with the leadership of the Dairy Union. We will discuss the current situation and possible developments in dairy farming, to be able to provide practical assistance, prevent a decrease in the number of cattle and ensure the provision of fodder for dairy cows. We will monitor all these measures constantly. The regional and farm authorities will be promptly informed about the decisions taken.

Vladimir Putin: We have spoken about the need to assess the damage done by the drought, using the expert assistance of the Agriculture Ministry and possibly the Emergencies Ministry. How has this been organised?

Viktor Zubkov: Unfortunately, only the Samara Region has finished that project. It has assessed the damage done and prepared the necessary documents, and we may now start providing the assistance agreed to it. Other regions need to do this quickly, so that the damage done by the drought is assessed across all the 23 affected regions by an organisation authorized by the Agriculture Ministry, with the assistance of the Emergencies Ministry and other departments. This will allow us to start working with all the regions to provide them the practical assistance they need. We are monitoring this aspect of the problem, and I will ensure its effective solution.

Vladimir Putin: When conducting your weekly conference calls, you should remind the regional leadership that the sooner they assess the damage, the sooner the affected farms can receive assistance. This must be done as soon as possible.

Viktor Zubkov: Understood. I will keep you posted on the progress of that and other plans related to practical assistance.

Vladimir Putin: The government should prepare the mechanisms needed to provide guarantees, subsidies and grants quickly as soon as the regions present the documents.

Viktor Zubkov: Yes, this is one of our tasks. We will continue this work regularly on an ongoing basis.

Vladimir Putin: What decision have you taken regarding the allocation of grain from the intervention fund?

Viktor Zubkov: We are completing the preparation of a document on the mechanism of marketing grain from the intervention fund. I think we will announce it at the next conference call with the regional leaders, so that they will be able to use grain from the intervention fund.

Vladimir Putin: They will buy grain and we will subsidise their expenses?

Viktor Zubkov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: Good.