Latvia bans imports of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus

The Latvian Saeima has approved amendments to the Law on Rural and Agricultural Development that ban imports of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus.

This is reported by Delfi.

The law prohibits the import or import of agricultural and feed products to Latvia from Russia and Belarus, even if the products of these countries are imported to Latvia from other third countries.

The law will enter into force after it is proclaimed by the President.

The ban will remain in effect until July 1, 2025, and may be extended if necessary.

Latvia, as a country bordering Russia, is committed to severing economic ties with the aggressor country as soon as possible to protect its security. This Latvian initiative is an additional element of the European Union's overall sanctions policy.

The law is aimed at preventing the state budgets of the aggressor countries and enterprises of these countries from receiving additional revenues from exporting their products to Latvia, thereby contributing to the possibility of continuing the war in Ukraine.

The ban will apply to the release of products into free circulation, except for the release into free circulation for the purpose of delivering products to a recipient in another EU member state exempt from value-added tax.

Author - Olena Madiak, 23/02/2024