The main report was made by Vladimir Labinov, the Director of the Stock Breeding Department, who said that the favourable situation in the world fur market benefitted Russian fur farmers. A majority of farms have increased their pedigree stock by 15% this year alone to bring the total to over 500,000 animals. New farms will soon be built. Sable breeding has enjoyed the greatest success. Production of sable pelts grew by 50% between 2010 and 2012.
However, a focus of the meeting was the industry’s need to upgrade existing farms, open new ones, improve feeds, and introduce the latest technology.
The Minister of Agriculture instructed the department and the National Fur Farmers’ Association to submit a draft targeted programme for the development of cage fur farming for 2013-2020.
He said that this year’s federal budget earmarks 88 million roubles for fur farming.
