Russia starts destroying food products from banned nations

Russia has brought into effect a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin that orders the destruction of all food products imported from western countries.

The presidential decree states that food products from embargoed countries will need to be destroyed both at the border and after being seized from stores.

As per the rule, all the food products will need to be destroyed in the presence of witnesses and the action has to be documented through photos and videos to prevent corruption.

However, the move seemed to draw mixed reactions from Russian commentators with some in favour of it and others calling for the distribution of the seized products to schools, orphanages and other similar institutions, reported Russia Beyond The Headlines.

Rosselkhoznadzo spokeswoman Yulia Melano was quoted by Tass news agency as saying: "As many as 20 tonnes of cheese might be destroyed in Orenburg, and pork will be destroyed in St. Petersburg."

Deputy Agriculture Minister Yevgeny Gromyko was quoted by Russian news agency Interfax as saying that the country already had plans in place for destroying fats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables, which will be burned in special furnaces. However, disposal of meat products had not been decided yet.

Putin called for the extreme measure after the country saw a surge in the smuggling of food products from embargoed countries.

Last year, Russia imposed a one-year ban on the import of items including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, and milk products from the US, EU nations, Norway, Canada, and Australia in response to the west’s sanctions over the country’s involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.

The west accused Russia of providing weapons and other support to pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. The country denied the allegations.

Moreover, the country recently extended its ban for another year in an effort to give a boost to locally produced food.