Russian MP: We're happy to see Belarusian products on our store shelves.

Photo by Gosstandart, October 6, MINSK . Russians are happy to see Belarusian products on local store shelves. This was stated by Tatyana Butskaya, First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Fatherhood, Motherhood, and Childhood, during a roundtable discussion on healthy nutrition for children and adolescents, according to a BELTA correspondent. 

The State Duma is developing a bill on preferential treatment for goods produced in RUSSIA. The future law will obligate retailers to allocate more favorable shelf space to these products. "Of course, we are talking about both Russian and Belarusian products," Tatyana Butskaya explained. 

"We are always happy to see Belarusian products on store shelves, especially in the 'Baby Food' section—cereals, fruit and vegetable purees," the deputy emphasized.

However, the topic of high-tech nutrition is very complex, she noted. "For example, this applies to powdered infant formula, especially for children with special needs, which requires special protein processing, which is difficult to achieve. Special vitamin and mineral premixes for them are produced in a few places around the world. We understand that we must create an interstate system here—some produced in Russia, some in Belarus. Together, we are creating a healthy product that nourishes first our expectant mothers and fathers, then pregnant women, and finally their children," added Tatyana Butskaya.

She noted that only 5% of mothers in Russia are unable to breastfeed their children. However, only 35% of women continue to breastfeed their children for up to six months. "If a child is not given breast MILK, this can seriously impact their growth," the deputy explained.