Gennady Onishchenko, Chief Sanitary Veterinarian of the Russian Federation, predicts that domestic poultry production can meet the internal demand of the country and reduce poultry imports dependence to zero in future, reports Meat Russia.

"After introduction of restrictions for use of poultry, in the production process of which chlorine-containing solutions were used, the rumor on oncoming famine started spreading at the suggestion of importers," Mr Onishchenko told RIA Novosti.

He added that data from Rosstat and Rosptitsesoyuz show a gradual decrease of chicken imports and an increase in domestic production. In 1997, poultry imports accounted for 64.5% of the volume consumed, whilst it was 52% in 2002 and it is expected to be 36% in 2008.

"In 2008, domestic poultry production is to total to 2.2 million tons. Therefore, the domestic production share will amount to more than 64%, and per-capita meat consumption will increase up to 23.2 kilograms," Mr Onishchenko said.

He pointed out that between 2009 and 2012, poultry production in the Federation will be stepped up to 3.3 million tons and per-capita consumption will grow to 27.6 kilos, leaving the share of imports to fall to only 8% by 2012, the Meat Russia report concluded.