Russia takes the first place in terms of grain production, overtaking the EU. This was stated by experts of the Food and agriculture organization of the UN (FAO) in the framework of the opened in its Roman headquarters session of the Committee on world food security, which is attended by representatives of almost all member countries of FAO.

"FAO raised its forecast for global wheat production to 742,4 million tons, primarily in connection with increased production in India, the US and Russia. Russia, therefore, could overtake the EU and to take the place of the largest producer of grain," — reads the statement of the experts.

As reported in his speech at the opening of the meeting the Minister of agriculture of the Russian Federation Alexander Tkachev, confirming the expert evaluation, "this year, Russia is expected to harvest a record in modern history of the country - more than 115 million tons of grain". The Minister stated that "sustainable agriculture is an integral part of ensuring national food security and the realization of the right to food of every person."

"FAO plays a leading role in ensuring quality control and food safety in the framework of the ongoing process of industrialization of the food industry. Particularly useful in this regard, normative and regulatory functions of FAO", — said Alexander Tkachev.