The group comprises representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief, the Federal Service for Insurance Supervision, the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, transport monopoly Russian Railways and analysts.

Mr. Zubkov will chair the first meeting of the group on July 23, 2010 in the form of a video link-up involving regional leaders who have declared a state of emergency in connection with the drought.

The meeting will discuss coordinated efforts to complete an expert check of the damage incurred and to implement decisions as regards state support for agricultural producers in connection with the drought, adopted at the July 12, 2010 meeting of the Russian Government Presidium. There are also plans to assess the efforts of regional governments to facilitate the financial stability of agricultural enterprises. The meeting will prioritise the sustained development of the livestock-breeding sector and inter-regional cooperation to provide enterprises with fodder.