The bill on "green" products may be adopted in the Russian Federation until September

The bill on products with improved characteristics ("green" products) will be adopted this year, before September, the Ministry of Agriculture predicts.

“The bill was adopted by the State Duma in the first reading. Now we are preparing amendments, deputies and regions have made a number of proposals. This year, the bill will definitely be adopted by the current convocation of the State Duma, before September,” Deputy Minister of Agriculture Maxim Uvaydov told reporters in Ufa on Friday.

"We think that a very good additional product will be created that will find its consumer," he said.

According to him, while the ministry does not estimate the share of such products in the food market. "While we are creating a regulatory framework, we are issuing standards. Then we will see who can fit these standards. But we already see the interest of commodity producers," Uvaydov said.

As reported, the bill, which regulates relations related to the production, storage, transportation, labeling and sale of agricultural products, raw materials and food with improved characteristics, was adopted by the State Duma in the first reading on March 17.

The explanatory note specifies that the phrase "agricultural products, raw materials and foodstuffs with improved characteristics" used in the bill is used as an analogue of the global environmental label. Labeling is necessary to convey to the consumer information about the improved aspects of the product.

According to the document, the Ministry of Agriculture will maintain a unified state register of producers of ecological products, which will include companies that have confirmed the improved characteristics of their products. The list of documents on standardization, which will determine the indicators of "green" agricultural products, raw materials and food, methods of its research (testing), measurements, certification rules, will be approved by the government of the Russian Federation.

According to the bill, it will not be possible to include products grown using genetic engineering methods, genetically modified and transgenic organisms as "green" products. In addition, the document introduces a ban on the use of ionizing radiation, on the use of packaging that can lead to contamination of improved agricultural products. Manufacturers will be required to use recyclable or biodegradable packaging.

The President reminded the prosecutor's office about the protection of nature

When growing such products, it is necessary to use moderately hazardous or low-hazardous pesticides. Manufacturers that meet environmental requirements, if desired, will be able to place a special graphic sign on products or shipping containers.

President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to create a protected brand of domestic clean, "green" products during his message to the Federal Assembly in 2019.