27 февраля 2024 — 15:00
The Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture plans to impose restrictions on grain imports from the Russian Federation, while the issue of a complete ban on its import is not being considered, the Lithuanian national television and Radio company reports, Interfax writes.
"The ban is, in principle, a difficult exercise, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and all international organizations are putting a lot of pressure on us because of global hunger. And in general, restrictions on the same movement, this is a rather toxic topic. And Latvians will receive a lot of criticism for the same ban, so I somehow think that everything will not necessarily go as planned here," said Rokas Petrasiunas, adviser to the Minister of Agriculture.
Lithuanian farmers who staged protests in January are calling on the government to take a decision to restrict the transit of Russian grain. Ignas Hofmanas, Chairman of the Lithuanian Agricultural Council, expressed suspicions that some of the Russian grain is transported through Lithuania and remains in the country.
However, Minister of Agriculture Kastutis Navickas said that very little Russian grain passes through Lithuania and that it all goes to ports.
The Latvian parliament last week temporarily banned the import of Russian and Belarusian agricultural products and feed. This ban will be in effect until mid-2025, but can be extended if necessary. Latvia believes that its initiative complements the general sanctions policy of the European Union.