Manufacturers of meat and milk are shocked by the requirements for wastewater treatment. Many agrofirms are threatened with closing new business, other companies will have to invest huge costs in products price.
From January 1, 2019, new water treatment standards are introduced for enterprises. Agrofirms, which should build local sewage treatment plants with a high content of chemicals in the effluent, are especially worried. The agri-food sector is considering the issue of business profitability, since the costs are estimated at tens of millions of rubles. Failure to comply with the rules faces huge fines.
The leaders of Soyuzmoloko, the National Meat Association, the Union of Producers of Soft Drinks and Mineral Waters, the Association of Enterprises of the Confectionery Industry have already sent a letter of objection to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Gordeyev. Agrofirms are asked to save them the opportunity to conclude an agreement with Vodokanal (company - operator of sewage treatment plants in Russian cities) on the additional treatment of wastewater. No answer has yet been given.
"The construction of our own local sewage treatment plant is estimated at $ 5-6M for the company plus their maintenance - about $ 300–500K annually," said Maria Zhebit, PR & GR director of Soyuzmoloko. This approach for SMEs is tantamount to closing. The industry practically balances on the verge of profitability, to find the specified amount of funds is currently unrealistic.
Source: DairyNews.ru.
