17:46 27/08/2010 The Russian government imposed a ban on the export of grain from August 15 to December 31, after abnormally hot and dry weather destroyed the grain harvest in almost 11 million hectares of land across central Russia. Forecasts for this year's harvest have fallen as low as 60 million tons, 38% down on last year. Arkady Zlochevsky, president of the Russian Grain Union, addresses the deep concerns of Russian society - was the controversial export ban necessary and will it have the desired effect - and also looks at the future prospects for Russia’s grain market.>>