Chelyabinsk Oblast Authorities Prepared to Neutralize "Chinese Threat"

06.05.2009 — News

THE CHELYABINSK OBLAST.

The Governor of the Chelyabinsk Oblast Pyotr Sumin has taken personal control over the Chinese expansion into the region. At present the citizens of the People's Republic of China (PRC) occupy 1200 hectares of land and grow various vegetables.

The Chinese crops may exceed 16 thousand tons in 2009 - a third of the volume produced by the local agricultural farmers. Moreover, non-resident farmers sell their products 30-40% cheaper.Such dumping is a serious threat for Chelyabinsk agricultural companies; it may even lead to some bankruptcies.

The regional government informed RusBusinessNews that the land leased by the citizens of the Celestial Empire will be inspected for the use of herbicides. Chemical substances which are prohibited in Russia have previously been found in the cucumbers grown by the Chinese. They will also receive a visit from the tax office.

Chelyabinsk authorities make it clear that it is not their goal to eliminate this type of activity performed by the PRC citizens, however, the activity must conform to the law. It is assumed that after the inspections are over some of the Chinese will quit the vegetable business.