Food cards in Russia: reasons and objectives of the introduction

The government's concept of food aid in the Russian Federation introduces food cards. The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation said that food cards as one of the types of support for citizens have both advantages and disadvantages. The main directions of the proposed program are the support of regional agricultural producers, targeted assistance to the socially unprotected population of the country.

What is Food Aid?

The program is government support, which is aimed at helping some segments of the population. Assistance will be provided in the guise of a certain set of food products or the amount of money that can be spent on the purchase of these products.

Food cards for Russians will provide an opportunity at the expense of market methods to provide assistance to Russian agricultural producers. With the support of a stable demand for their goods, there is an opportunity for further improvement. This is also one of the methods of import substitution.

Russia is preparing to return food cards

In April 2015, the Government presented a model of a card system for food. They are intended for those citizens who have the right to subsidies from the state. The Ministry of Industry and Trade believes that food cards will be supported not only by socially unprotected layers of the population, but also by the state, mainly by regional agricultural production. The decision to introduce food cards into everyday life was formed based on the experience of world powers, where they have been successfully used for a long time.

The principle of food cards

Despite the fact that the introduction of this innovation is expected in 2017, the concept of food cards is already known:

1. A family that is considered socially unprotected is issued a bank card.
2. Each month, it is credited with funds from the budget.
3. It will be impossible to withdraw money, they can only be paid in certain stores and for a certain period of time.
4. The introduction of food cards will apply only to products with a short shelf life. This is planned to eliminate accumulation. This includes products such as meat, poultry, eggs, milk, vegetables and fruits.
5. The exact amount of funds transferred to the card is not yet known. The department believes that the amount will depend on the subsistence level established in the region, the level of family income, all social deductions, the cost factor for food.

Conditions for receiving cards for food

In order to obtain food cards for the poor, several actions should be taken. It will be necessary to file an application with the executive branch in the region of residence, collect a package of necessary documents, and pass an interview. If the answer is positive, an electronic food card is issued to the applicant, for which money will be received. Or you can connect the existing one by signing an agreement with your bank.

To eliminate the risk of dependency, the unemployed will be charged with the duty to get a job within the agreed time.

Probably, Sberbank of the Russian Federation will participate in the implementation of this program. The program "Product card" will require the most preliminary calculation of 240 billion rubles.

Existing realities of life

There is one very serious obstacle to the implementation of the program - the state has no financial means. Of course, the whole program will be implemented by the state. But since in 2015 the country's budget was adopted with a deficit of 2,680 million rubles, and as of May 1, 2015, the regions' debt exceeded two trillion rubles. It is difficult to imagine an easy and fast implementation of the program of grocery cards.

Existing shortcomings

Despite the lack of the necessary funds for the implementation of the program in the federal budget, there are several issues that the Ministry of Industry and Trade could not solve for a long time. Food cards and their implementation imply a clear scheme for selecting producers, which is still not available. Secondly, there is no clear mechanism for checking the required quality of goods.

Expert opinions

For experts, one main question remains: what is more important for the state - support of local producers or well-fed low-income citizens?

Borisov A., chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation for the development of the consumer market, believes that the introduction of cards will make changes to the system of support for producers. In this case, agricultural producers will be able to receive financial resources by increasing demand and stimulating it, rather than directly.

Vostrikov Dm. (Rusprodsoyuz) approves food cards. He believes that this will help local production better than price regulation.

Krupnov U., head of the Supervisory Board of the Institute of Demography and Regional Development, believes that this program is a gift that can stimulate local agricultural producers and the economy of the Russian Federation. He believes that Russia is preparing for the return of food cards and that this will solve most of the problems related to food safety at the country level. The program, from his words, is a giant food order for agricultural producers.

Mamikonyan M., President of the Meat Union, says that in the world this practice of helping the poor is a strong support of local producers. But he doubts that in the realities of Russia this support will be insignificant. The president believes that this program is designed for a limited number of consumers, and the finances allocated monthly will be small, it is unlikely they will buy meat - a rather expensive product.

Reasons for introducing food cards

The government is assured that this program is in no way connected with food shortages. From their words, food cards in Russia and the help provided by them will develop for several reasons:

1. The rules of Russia's accession to the WTO oblige our country to reduce the amount of direct assistance to agricultural producers under the guise of various subsidies, subsidies, soft loans, etc. Along with this, WTO rules can allow the support of local agronomists through domestic food aid in implementing the Green Basket program.
2. Today, the number of citizens to whom food cards are put is increasing: those who are below the poverty line and the poor. Over the past 8 years, their number has grown to 21 million people. These are citizens who need state support.

Stages of food aid introduction

According to preliminary data, the launch of the program will begin in 2017. To date, the amount that will be transferred to the card, will be 1400 rubles. monthly. It is assumed that products under the program can be purchased on separate shelves in retail chains. It is unlikely for this program will be separately erected social stores.

In early 2018, the next stage will begin. He is in the opening of social canteens, where you can get hot food by presenting the appropriate card.

What entails the introduction of the program

The return of food cards, according to the government, has only the best intentions.

To support the local manufacturer, the law on trade was amended. These amendments eliminate any fees from suppliers and reduce the timing of settlements. Today, retail chains can delay settlements with small farms up to a month and a half. In other words, big business is credited for free at the expense of small businesses. That is, theoretically, the entrance to trade networks will be opened to local small agricultural producers, the stimulation of which is the program for introducing food cards.

Results

The program of introduction of food cards implies:

• Support of local producers;
• Support to the poor;
• Improvement of trade.

In 2016, food cards in Russia will be able to receive:

• The majority of pensioners who are below the poverty line, taking into account the average pension for 2015;
• Single mother;
• Unemployed citizens;
• Such ethnic groups as the peoples of the Far North, Tajiks, Roma.

To receive cards, they must contact the appropriate authorities with a statement and a package of documents.

In addition to the introduction of food cards in 2017, in 2018 it is planned to introduce a program on preferential food, which will give the poor the opportunity to get lunch in the dining room / cafe.

Most experts in this area believe that food cards are the most important and effective project of the Russian Federation. They will provide an opportunity to support not only local production and consumption, but also the consumer market and the economy as a whole. The most important thing now is that this program of assistance to socially unprotected citizens passed without any violations.