Russia to add more countries to food import ban list

Russia is likely to add seven more countries in its list of nations from where it has prohibited the import of food products.

While the names of the countries were not disclosed, Reuters quoted deputy prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich as saying that the country would reach on a decision regarding the new additions soon.

A recent European Union (EU) statement has revealed that countries including Ukraine, Montenegro, Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Georgia, and Norway have voiced their support in favour of the EU’s extension of the sanctions against Russia for another year.

Out of these countries, only Norway is included in Russia’s list of banned countries.

Russia imposed a one year ban on the import of food products including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, and milk products from the US, several EU nations, Canada, and Australia. Recently, the country extended the ban by another year.

The move was in retaliation to the sanctions imposed by the west as a result of Russia’s alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis. The western countries accused Russia of contributing to the crisis by supplying rebels with weapons and other support.

Recently, president Vladimir Putin also signed a decree that made it mandatory to destroy all food products imported from western countries.

The new rule was followed by the country destroying several tonnes of food that was smuggled into the country from the banned nations.