Lukashenko signs decree on meat industry

On January 5, President Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree 'On the Development of the Meat Industry,' which provides for the construction and reconstruction of specialized complexes for raising and fattening bulls in agricultural and processing organizations from 2026 to 2030. Organizations to receive such complexes will be determined by the Council of Ministers based on proposals from regional executive committees. The decree establishes conditions, requirements, and procedures for implementing investment projects. Design documentation development may proceed concurrently with construction. The document also mandates the provision of subsidies to cover interest payments on loans funded from republican and local budgets, as well as possible credit resources from OJSC 'Bank of Development of the Republic of Belarus' with terms up to 20 years and interest rates based on the National Bank's refinancing rate. The lending limit is set at 85 base units per livestock unit. The decree's goal is to improve the meat industry's material and technical base and increase beef production efficiency.