Vice-Premier Gordeyev briefs President on 2003 harvest outlook

An outlook for the 2003 harvest is today above the statistical average, Vice-Premier and Agricultural Minister Alexei Gordeyev reported to Vladimir Putin at a routine presidential conference with the cabinet members.

"Overall, the weather is favourable in heartland Russia and beyond the Urals. Today's harvesting outlook is forecasted to be above the statistical average", said Gordeyev.

At the same time, the weather postpones the harvesting campaign for two weeks and additional organisational efforts will be required, he added.

Gordeyev spoke of the emerging problems due to heavy rains in the south of Russia - the Stavropol and Rostov regions. The government together with the regions' administrations is taking efforts to preserve the harvest, he said.