a Candidate of Sciences in economics since 2010. On December 24, 2014, she was stripped of her degree because her thesis was plagiarised. Minister of Agriculture From March 12, 2009, to May 21, 2012, she served as Minister of Agriculture. Her activities in agriculture were noted by Boris Gryzlov, Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation: "Elena Skrynnik ... made a great contribution to the development of agricultural support mechanisms. During regional business trips, I often visit farm units ... and I know how leasing programs are in demand for agricultural production." In May 2009 Skrynnik established a state-owned company for the supply of fuel, oil and lubricants at preferential prices for rural areas. The Ministry later established a system of uninterrupted supply of fuel, oil and lubricants for rural equipment and technology on preferential terms. In 2011 the Russian government decided to end sugar imports, as for the preceding two years domestic sugar beet production was sufficient. In the same year, Russia began exporting sugar for the first time ever. Under Skrynnik's leadership Russia began providing itself with the main categories of agricultural products. The Ministry started active cooperation with the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service. On January 1, 2010 the directive of a Chief State Medical Officer came into effect in Russia that banned selling chicken disinfected with high-concentration chlorine compounds. Skrynnik was seen as one of the initiators of this ban. In 2010 Skrynnik began carrying out a policy of import substitution, reducing poultry imports and increasing exports of Russian meat. Skrynnik also banned import of milk powder to Russia from Belarus. Following the 2010 drought, in August 2010 the Ministry resumed the work of the Federal Commission to restructure debts of agricultural companies. The commission's task was to prevent bankruptcies due to drought. Skrynnik increased lending in 2011 to restore agricultural production. Locust plagues across Russia disrupted production in 2011. Skrynnik supported initiative of creating special mobile units to control the pests. Controversies In November 2012, VGTRK published an investigation about Skrynnik stating that during her ministership of agriculture, the ministry allegedly allocated money from its budget to improve housing conditions of employees but eventually spent the funds on purchasing mansions in the Rublyovka area. Skrynnik denied the accusations and said that she would sue the journalists for defamation. Recognition Medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd class (15 November 2005) Gratitude of