Latvia Prepares New Restrictions On Food Imports From Belarus

The Latvian government approved amendments to the Agricultural Development Law. They provide for a further expansion of the ban on food imports from Belarus.

The law currently allows the government to ban imports of agricultural products and animal feed from Belarus and Russia. The Latvian government recently used these powers once again and expanded the list of prohibited goods.

The amendments would give the government the authority to ban imports of food products, including confectionery, flour products, sauces, ready-made soups, non-alcoholic beverages and beer.

The bill must now be approved by the Saeima. The amendments do not affect transit or the supply of goods to other EU countries.

The government says the continued volume of imports is the reason for expanding the ban. From January to July, agricultural products, animal feed and food worth 24.9 million euros were imported from Russia and Belarus. Of this, 18.3 million euros accounted for agricultural products and animal feed, while 6.6 million euros accounted for food products. Latvia and other EU member states were listed as destination countries.