The government supported the idea of building wineries and tourism facilities on agricultural land

The government has sent to the State Duma a positive response to a deputy bill on the possibility of building viticulture, winemaking and rural tourism facilities on agricultural land. Bill No. 1040797-8 was introduced to the Chamber by deputies Sergey Altukhov, Konstantin Bakharev and Ivan Demchenko in mid-October. They propose to allow the construction of wineries, outbuildings and tourist facilities on agricultural land and in agricultural use areas, subject to a number of conditions. "The amendments proposed by the draft law are relevant for agriculture, since the implementation of the federal law will contribute to the promotion of Russian wine on the domestic market and the improvement of wine culture in our country," the government said in its conclusion, which pointed out the need to clarify a number of provisions.

In particular, according to the Government, it is unclear which body, in what order, with what frequency and at what stage will assess compliance with the conditions during the construction and commissioning of facilities. "It is necessary to additionally work out the issue of the construction of facilities designed to provide services in the field of rural tourism, only on the same land plot on which the winery was established," the conclusion says. In addition, according to the government, it is necessary to clarify the physical or technological connection of objects combined into a single immovable complex, and to work out issues of preserving land plots as part of farmland. The Cabinet of Ministers recommended making corresponding amendments to the law on the turnover of agricultural land, as well as clarifying the rules for settlements with a population of over 30,000 people, since it is assumed that the provisions of the draft law will not apply to them.

"The government supports the bill, provided it is finalized for the second reading, taking into account these comments," the review says. If adopted, the law will enter into force on the day of its official publication.