Participants of the meeting discussed the agenda of the Russian Agrarian Forum to be held by the Russian Agrarian Movement (RAM) on February 27-28, 2012 in Ufa.

"All the major priorities of the socioeconomic development of the countryside should be discussed. They are, first of all, agricultural production, social issues, and local government. The upcoming forum is the most effective venue for solving RAM's top issue, that of invigorating the constructive dialogue between the government and rural population," Mr Zubkov stressed.

The first deputy prime minister noted the important role RAM plays in maintaining feedback with farmers. "Members of the movement should continue their participation in implementing state agrarian policy in the regions through their representatives in local legislatures, should influence the volume of the agricultural budget and play a notable role in compiling the lists of subsidy recipients and participants of special programmes aimed at supporting the countryside," Mr Zubkov stated. "That would help to more effectively solve issues of land relations, develop infrastructure of the agricultural market, the technical and technological upgrading of the industry, reduce possible risks of joining the WTO, step up social support for rural areas, and improve conditions to ensure financial stability of the agricultural producers," the first deputy prime minster asserted.

One of the key activities of RAM, according to Mr Zubkov, is participation in the information and logistical support for agricultural producers when they conclude insurance contracts and in solving problems related to obtaining insurance compensation. As of January 1, 2012, a new law on agricultural insurance with state support came into effect. The first deputy prime minister believes that "RAM may be involved in out-of-court (pre-trial) settlements of insurance disputes." "We should take firm control of the issue so as to squeeze all sorts of crooks and chancers out of the agricultural insurance business. This would win confidence in RAM. If there arises a need to address supervisory and law enforcement agencies in order to solve those problems, you should duly notify the government," Viktor Zubkov instructed RAM executive director. The first deputy prime minister added that a board may be set up in each region under the auspices of RAM that would take part in out-of-court settlement of insurance disputes.

The Russian Agrarian Movement was set up in 2002. First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov was elected chairman of RAM in June 2011.