Deputy Prime Minister Abramchenko instructed to ban the transfer of arable land to land for the extraction of sand and gravel

Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a bill to prohibit the transfer of especially valuable agricultural land to “lands of other categories” in order to extract common minerals from them. These lands include farmland and vineyards. Common minerals include sand, pebbles, crushed stone, gravel, clay, limestone. Amendments should be ready by April 15, according to RBC with reference to the instructions of Mrs. Abramchenko. Her office confirmed the information about the preparation of the project.

The issue of protecting farmland was considered at a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, held in December 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture advocated the introduction of a ban on the geological study of the subsoil, exploration and production of conventional minerals on farmland. The Ministry of Natural Resources did not support this initiative. In return, the agency suggested leaving the current conditions for the use of subsoil, and in order to protect agricultural land, coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture the lists of subsoil plots of local importance where there are minerals.

According to the instruction following the meeting, it was decided to prohibit the transfer to other categories of agricultural land suitable for viticulture, reclaimed and reclaimed land, as well as those used for breeding, seed production, variety testing, placement of plant genetic collections and cultivation of unique crops. In addition, Rosnedra, by March 15, must ensure the participation of the Ministry of Agriculture in the procedure for agreeing on a list of subsoil plots of local importance containing common minerals.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (Rosnedra is in charge of it) told RBC that now subsoil users will immediately see if the site has appropriate restrictions. “Some of the most valuable agricultural lands will be specially protected, the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing a bill for this,” the ministry said.

Laura Keffer