The ban on importing agricultural and animal feed products from Russia and Belarus has been extended by one year. This is provided for in the amendments to the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development supported in the final reading by the Saeima on Wednesday, 1 April.

The ban will remain in force until 1 July of next year. Extending the ban is also essential for the security of Latvia. It is necessary as the war in Ukraine continues and Russia is still carrying out acts of aggression in Ukraine. Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture had previously told the Economic Affairs Committee, which is responsible for the advancement of this draft law at the Saeima, that the ban has been effective, particularly in combination with the increased customs tariffs and sanctions introduced by the European Union. The ban had previously been in force until July of this year.

The national import ban is in force since 8 March 2024. It prohibits importing agricultural and animal feed products from Russia and Belarus into Latvia, as well as importing products originating from these two countries but being imported from other countries into Latvia.

Saeima Press Service