Russia-Self sufficient in meat a long way off.

RUSSIA-

A Russian official said the country would be able to produce as much poultry meat and possibly as much pork as it needs within about four years, according to Interfax News Agency.

First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov told a news conference Russia would be able to fill its poultry meat needs "within the next two to three years" and that "we also have a chance to fully provide ourselves with pork within three to four years." He said Russia produced 8 percent more pork and 18 percent more poultry in 2008 than in 2007.

Beef

Boosting domestic beef production, however, would be a more difficult task. "Beef production is the most difficult part of (Russian) stock raising," he said. "For this reason, the state is beginning to invest federal funds in this industry. This work is planned to take several years," Interfax quoted him as saying.

"There are no beef breeds of cattle in Russia," said Zubkov, noting that all beef produced in Russia now is either veal or a by-product of dairy farming. "However, there is work under way to bring beef breeds of cattle into Russia. The state supports it and subsidizes this industry. This work needs to be more active as demand for beef is growing in Russia."