The government refused to state regulation of prices, entrusting control market participants

The Russian government has long abandoned the idea of ​​the decision on the regulation of food prices in the conditions of the embargo on imports.

Itar-Tass reported two participants of the meeting, which took place the day before under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Arkady Dvorkovich. During the meeting, as a spokesman said, it was agreed that the price controls will be carried out by market participants through the signing of a memorandum.

A spokesman for the Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich Alia Samigullina confirmed that the meeting had decided to sign such a memorandum between sectoral NGOs. "It will be a memorandum defining the general principles of cooperation in the framework of market participants work to curb rising prices of agricultural products, raw materials and food," - she said. The representative of the Deputy Prime Minister added that the parameters of the document identify themselves retailers and associations of manufacturers, suppliers. However, she noted that it is not a complete refusal to sign a government decree in the future. While market participants may solve the problem of containment of price growth through the mechanisms of self-regulation, according to the government.

The participants explained that the parameters of the agreement have already been presented at a meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry jointly by Russia. They assume that suppliers will keep prices sanctions food groups at the same level throughout the year. Retailers with abandon bonuses for the implementation of these product groups and will use the maximum margin of 10%.

The rules state regulation of prices

The Federal Law "On Trade" entitles you to state regulation of prices for a number of socially important goods, if the price for them will increase by 30% during the month. This provision was introduced into the law in 2010 after an abnormal drought and soaring prices for buckwheat, but has never been applied in practice. However, earlier still state regulation of prices was used once - in 2007. Then in late October due to a significant rise in price of the world's food retailers and companies, refiners have signed a memorandum "On the freezing of prices" for socially important food products. The agreement was signed for a period until the end of January 2008 and provided for fixing the cost of bread, milk, yogurt, sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs at the level at which they were Oct. 15, 2007. The maximum margin of retailers of these products should not exceed 10% However, the prices on these product groups still continued to grow in non-network retail.

Now the reason for the introduction of state regulation of prices can be entered Russia with the August 7, 2014 for the year of the food embargo on meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables from countries that previously had supported sanctions against the economy and a number of Russian citizens during the crisis in Ukraine - EU , USA, Australia, Canada, Norway. Ministry of Industry claims that during the period from 8 to 25 August abrupt changes in retail food prices were observed. But the Federal State Statistics Service said that the rise in prices for chicken meat in Russia for a week (from 19 to 25 August) accelerated in half, to 1.4%, a week earlier growth was 0,9%.

Do not wait any decisions at the federal level, a number of regions in August have already begun to discuss the introduction of price caps on the level of the subjects. However, the FAS are confident that under the current regulatory framework to a ruling government in terms of antitrust law, such negotiations are illegitimate.

In addition, on August 27 a group of deputies from the Communist Party, led by Gennady Zyuganov has made to the bill on the state and municipal regulation of food prices. It should complement the provisions of the Trade Act. The document's authors want to give the government the right to set size limits trade allowances for certain types of agricultural and food products, including essential commodities. Among them are the bread, bread and pasta, dairy products, meat, meat and meat products, fish and fish products, sunflower oil, sugar, vegetables, fruits, infant and dietetic foods. Regional and local authorities will be able to expand the list.

The Government will have the right to set the limits of trade margins for producers of primary raw materials (cereals, milk, vegetables, and so on. etc..) in 45% of the costs of production for processors - in 15% of the selling price of the manufacturer of raw materials for organizations wholesale - 10% of the selling price of the manufacturer of food products, for retail organizations (including markets) and organizations catering - 15% of the selling price of foodstuffs producer or wholesale prices. Government also has the right to set size limits the proportion of certain types of imported agricultural and food products that are allowed in the range of goods sold.

Source: Agency Agrofakt