Ban on import of Russian and Belarusian agricultural products implemented in Lithuania

Lithuania has imposed a restriction on the import of agricultural items and animal nutrition from Russia and Belarus, effective as of this week.

As reported by Delfi, the prohibited commodities list is divided into 24 categories, including live animals, meat and offal, fish, milk and dairy products, eggs, natural honey, non-animal products, plants, vegetables, fruits, coffee and spices, grain, cereals, oil, beverages, tobacco, and others.

In addition, Lithuania prohibits the import of several plant-based products from Russia and Belarus.

Furthermore, starting 3 June, there has been a prohibition on the import of finished products, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as meat, fish, sugar, and confectionery.

The list excludes agricultural goods that are not imported from alternative sources (such as mushrooms, berries, and plant materials for weaving).

At the same time, the Lithuanian government did not ban the movement of these commodities within the country.

Earlier, Lithuanian Minister of Agriculture Kęstutis Navickas stated that the EU should impose limitations on all agricultural products imported from Russia, including grain.

Previously, the EU Council resolved to impose "prohibitive" charges on grain products imported from Russia and Belarus.

The ruling says that charges on cereals, oilseeds, and processed products from Russia and Belarus would be raised to the point where they will no longer be imported.

Ukraine has long urged the EU to entirely ban Russian agricultural imports. During an EU leaders' summit on 21 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy branded it "dishonest" that Russian food products were being supplied to Europe while Ukrainian grain was being dumped on tarmac or railway tracks.