Belarus, Russia wary of a new 'milk war'

The agriculture ministers in Belarus and Russia have agreed to suspend the supplies of the Belarusian milk powder to the Russian market for the period of 'big milk'.
"We will cut the production of milk powder and will increase the production of the dairy products that are in demand on the Russian market", Belarus' agriculture minister Siarhei Shapira is quoted by his press office as saying.

The two countries will also set up a joint commission to monitor the market. It will gather weekly to take decisions on the common pricing policy, based on the demand at the world markets and on the condition of the Russian market.

Currently, none of the Belarusian dairies is banned from selling its products to Russia, says the web site of the Belarusian agriculture ministry.

Illustration: a cartoon from the times of the first 'milk war'.