OREANDA-NEWS. Intersectoral Expert Council on the development of the consumer market (IEC), member of which the Retail Companies Association, today issued a statement of support for the proposal of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation on the introduction of partial state aid of the food expenses for the most economically vulnerable segments of the population.

The statement reads: "Members of the Intersectoral Expert Council on the development of the consumer market (IEC), which brought together the leading Russian unions and associations of trade networks, producers, suppliers and consumers of food products, express their support proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation for the state aid system of the food expenses for the most economically vulnerable segments of the population through food cards. If the basis of such system will make products of healthy and balanced diet of domestic, primarily local production,  it will benefit and most vulnerable consumers, and domestic producers of food raw materials and food products and their sellers.

IEC in recent years has repeatedly expressed support for such a system. Now, when food prices rose up significantly, it has become particularly relevant. It confirmed by the pilot projects currently being implemented in the Kirov region and some other regions.

IEC Members, representing a significant portion of the consumer market of Russia, interested in cooperation with the regional authorities and the Ministry of industry and trade of the Russian Federation in the practical implementation of this system, and IEC is ready to actively participate in the work of the Ministry on organizational and methodological support, coordination and evaluation of the effectiveness of its application".

Representatives of the Retail Companies Association, Union of Independent Networks, RUSPRODSOYUZ, Fish Union, Association of producers and consumers of oil and fat products, SOYUZMOLOKO, National Meat Association, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Consumers Union of Russia, signed the statement.