Russia extends ban on western food imports
Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced he has extended the country’s ban on foreign food imports for another year.
According to the Associated Press, the ban will remain in effect until June 24, 2016. Products affected include beef, pork, fruit and vegetable produce, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products originating from the European Union, the US, Australia, Canada and Norway.
Putin signed an executive order placing a ban on western food imports in August of last year. The ban is considered to be Russia’s retaliation over western sanctions imposed during the Ukraine conflict last year.
“We were extremely troubled by news today that Russia intends to extend its unjustified ban on US meat and other agricultural products,” said Barry Carpenter, CEO of the North American Meat Institute. “Continuing this ban ignores the free trade obligations that came with Russia’s 2012 decision to join the World Trade Organization. The US meat and poultry industry supports free trade and strives to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to the safe trade of these products. Establishing and maintaining open and fair trading systems and standards are the best means of ensuring the delivery of the best and safest food products to consumer around the world.”
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