Georgia: Georgian Defence Minister comes out for a ban on Russian beer imports
Georgian Defence Minister Irakly Okruashvili came out for a ban on the Russian beer imports, Itar-Tass communicated on May 02.
“Beer imported from Russia makes about 15 percent of the Georgian beer market. I would personally welcome a ban on the Russian beer imports in our country that would bring big profit to Georgian companies produce of which does not cede to Russian produce,” Okruashvili who is in charge of foreign Georgian wine supplies told journalists on May 02.. Last week, Okruashvili dismissed Russia's consumer market as a "bazaar of very low consumer quality." Earlier, Russian officials were outraged by his comment that Russian standards were so low that "one can sell, I beg your pardon for this expression, even fecal matter."
Meanwhile, representatives of the Georgian Agriculture Ministry said that “a possible ban on the Russian beer imports in the country is not considered now.” According to State Minister for Structural and Economic Reforms Kakha Bendukidze, “the ban on the Russian beer imports in Georgia will be imposed, only if it is found out that Russian beer is harmful for health. For now, no such incidents have been recorded," he said.
Imports of wine from Georgia and Moldova were banned in late-March on the grounds that they contained pesticides and were of poor quality. Georgia has argued that the ban is politically motivated. Georgia, which is largely agricultural, relies heavily on wine and other exports to Russia, and President Mikhail Saakashvili has asked Okruashvili to seek out new markets.
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