Russian regulators are seriously considering altering the system for allocating meat importing quotas. Andrei Slepnev, Russia’s Deputy Minister for Economic Development, said that a method for distributing the quotas through an auction may be introduced.

The government issued a resolution for facilitating the importation of meat in 2010 – 2012. The resolution addresses the reduction of import quotas for poultry and pork.

No changes are expected in 2010, as the traditional mechanism for divvying up the quotas will be in use during the year. Changes may be implemented as early as 2011. While the final decision has not been made yet, the Ministry has already prepared a workable auction-based distribution program. 

The Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service recommended switching to the auction system to optimize imports. The Economic Development Ministry was instructed to analyze the proposed arrangement and submit reports to the Russian government.