First Deputy Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Organising Committee for the Russian Presidential Prize Horse Race in Kazan.

Opening the meeting, Viktor Zubkov said: "We have just looked at the Kazan horse racing complex which will be the venue of the Russian Presidential Horse Race on June 24.

"The preparation of the complex to receive guests and participants for this prestigious international event is nearing completion. The overall impression is good.

"The Kazan race course is one of the most modern in Russia, and it can accommodate six thousand spectators. The twelve modern stables and the veterinary clinic that are part of the complex merit special attention.

"I am convinced that the guests and spectators of the upcoming race, including foreign ones, will appreciate these features. This year's entries in the Presidential Prize race include horses from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Ukraine, Tajikistan and Abkhazia. Tatarstan's rich experience in organizing major international events will help to hold the race at the high level."

The participants in the meeting discussed the condition of the material and technical base as well as financial, organisational and protocol aspects of the race.

"On June 24, Kazan will see a large-scale, impressive and thrilling horse race involving the best horses and jockeys from Russia and other countries. All this will underline the popularity of horse-breeding and this sport in Russia," Viktor Zubkov said, wrapping up the results of the meeting. He said the total prize money was about 28.5 million roubles of which 10 million is the prize of the Russian president, 8 million is the National Heritage Prize and 3 million the prize of president of Tatarstan.

During his time in Tatarstan, Viktor Zubkov also visited an agricultural enterprise where he looked at the crops. "The situation is very different from last year. The harvest forecast is much better. A good harvest of cereals, potatoes and industrial crops is expected. Tatarstan alone is planning to bring in 4.5 million tons of grain," the first deputy prime minister said. "The forecast for the country as whole is also good. The harvest will be much better than last year," he added. Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the Russian government for its timely support and for imposing a temporary ban on grain exports, which enabled the republic's agricultural sector to cope with the aftermath of last year's unprecedented drought. Viktor Zubkov discussed the interaction of the republic's agricultural enterprises with Rosselkhozbank and Rosagrolizing.

Viktor Zubkov also saw special equipment that is being provided to the forest and fire services of the Republic of Tatarstan. During his talk with the staff of these services, Viktor Zubkov thanked them for their hard work in this dangerous profession. He said that the federal budget allocated about 10 billion roubles to prevent and fight wildfires this year, compared with 2.5 billion last year. "We have provided more equipment to the regions and have put in place new forest management structures. The regions too must take measures and invest their money," Viktor Zubkov said. "Tatarstan is a good example because it has financed the purchase of additional specialised equipment." The first prime minister stressed the important role of regional and municipal authorities in preventing and extinguishing forest fires. "The situation is difficult, but it is under control. The main challenge is to do this work not only at the federal level, but also in the regions and at the level of municipalities and communities. The main thing is to educate the people, make the heads of municipalities and local communities and every person more responsible. Then the threat of forest fires can be minimised," the first prime minister said. "If fire prevention measures are not taken, those responsible should be fined and prosecuted. Corresponding amendments to the law have already been passed," he added. He said that the area affected by wildfires this year was larger than last year but smaller than in 2009. "As of today fires have affected about 700,000 hectares compared with 1.3 million hectares in 2009. But this is still no cause for complacency," Viktor Zubkov stressed.