Saeima, the Latvian Parliament, Enacts Ban on Agricultural Imports from Russia and Belarus, Prompting Poland’s Consideration of Similar Action

Saeima, on Thursday, February 22nd, finalised amendments to the “Law on the Development of Rural Areas and Agriculture”, prohibiting the import of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus.

The law prohibits the importation of agricultural and animal feed products into Latvia from Russia and Belarus, including when such products are imported into Latvia from other third countries.

The legislation will come into effect after being proclaimed by the president.

The ban will be in place until July 1st, 2025, with the possibility of extension if deemed necessary.

According to the annotations accompanying the amendments to the “Law on the Development of Rural Areas and Agriculture”, Latvia, as a country bordering Russia, is moving towards a swift severance of economic ties with the aggressor state to protect its security.

Latvia’s initiative aligns with the broader sanctions policy of the European Union.

“Latvia must do everything possible to preserve peace and international security. Latvia will support Ukraine until its victory over Russia,” emphasised the rationale behind the changes.

The amendments aim to prevent state budgets of Russia and Belarus and their enterprises from gaining additional income from exporting their products to Latvia, thus contributing to the possibility of prolonging the war in Ukraine.

Agricultural and feed products under this law include agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products, as well as first-stage processed products directly related to such products.

By March 1st, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia must assess and submit to the Saeima a report on the impact of the import ban on agricultural and feed products on the national economy and the alignment of this ban with public interests.

As previously reported, in late January, the ruling coalition reached an agreement to ban the import of grain from Russia and Belarus.

Last year, Latvia imported 423,732 tonnes of grain products from Russia, which is 59.9% more than in 2022 when 265,056 tonnes were imported, according to the State Revenue Service’s information provided to the LETA news agency.

Meanwhile, in 2023, the value of barley imported by Latvia from Russia reached 89.008 million euros, which is 11.7% more than in 2022.

Poland is carefully considering the consequences of Latvia’s decision to ban the import of Russian food products and does not rule out taking similar steps itself, as reported by Bloomberg, citing a statement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Tusk plans to discuss this issue with farmers, as the problem of excess supply and “unequal” competition is not only associated with trade with Ukraine but also with imports from Russia and Belarus.

The Prime Ministers of Poland and Latvia have agreed to join forces to persuade European leaders to take action regarding food imports from the East.

Main Image: By Saeima – Flickr: Saeimas sēžu zāle, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16993625

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EP Plenary session Tatjana Ždanoka

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This development comes in the wake of media reports accusing Ždanoka of collaborating with Russian intelligence services, prompting Parliament President Roberta Metsola to take decisive action.

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