Meat production for the Ukraine fell 11% to 2.32 million tons (gross weight) in 2001, compared with the previous 12 months. Officials from the ministry of agriculture said that the decrease was due to the practice of farmers attempting to rear cattle with a higher weight in order to receive state subsidies.

In the month of December alone, production of meat dropped by a further 14.6%. Farmers in Ukraine receive subsidies if their cattle is over a certain weight. Last year this level was set at 375 kg but this has now been raised to 400 kg because of a cut in the budget.

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