The Latvian government has approved a list of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that are banned for importation. This decision, as stated on the Latvian government's website, reflects Latvia's commitment to swiftly severing economic ties with the aggressor country while upholding the nation's values without compromising its development.
The banned items include all vegetables and root crops, nuts, as well as various fruits and berries.
The resolution will come into effect on March 8th.
Import restrictions will apply to agricultural produce remaining in Latvia rather than those destined for other EU member states, and will be effective until July 2025.
Latvia thus becomes the first EU country to impose limitations on the importation of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus.
As a border country with Russia, Latvia is one of the EU member states through which a significant import of agricultural and food products of Russian origin enters the EU market. These are products that the EU can produce itself, with much stricter production standards and higher quality.
The Cabinet of Ministers emphasizes the need to end the EU's dependence on Russian resources, as purchasing from Russia fuels the aggressive war against Ukraine.
source: mk.gov.lv