July 28, 2014

Russia suspends dairy imports from Ukraine

As of July 28, Russia has suspended dairy imports from Ukraine, according to a senior official from the federal agricultural watchdog agency, Rosselkhoznadzor.

"The corresponding documents will be signed later today," said Alexei Alexeyenko, Rosselkhoznadzor's deputy chief, on July 25. "The ban concerns, first and foremost, the imports of cheeses that might be hazardous since their production process includes palm oil of unknown quality and origin."

Rosselkhoznadzor officials believe the ban will not entail any consequences for Russia in the format of the World Trade Organisation. It also warned of possible restrictions on the imports of foodstuffs from Ukraine if the government in Kiev failed to adopt the requirements of the Eurasian Customs Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia).

At present, there is a ban on imports of products from thirteen Ukrainian cheese factories. Pork imports are also affected due to a spread of African Swine Fever.