The Agriculture Ministry expects stricter inspections of grain imports from Russia and other high-risk countries to begin on March 14.
The order of Agriculture Minister Kęstutis Navickas to stop and inspect all grain and grain product shipments from such countries was published on Monday, but proposals and comments can still be submitted for 10 working days.
“The order could come into force on March 14 if no critical comments are received,” the ministry told BNS.
The draft order from the Food and Veterinary Service’s director regarding such inspections for food grain is planned to be announced on Tuesday. It would also take effect on March 14.
The Latvian parliament last week temporarily banned the import of Russian and Belarusian agricultural products.
The Lithuanian Agriculture Ministry said on Monday that it was tightening controls on grain imports from Russia and other high-risk countries but had no intention of imposing a complete ban.
The list of high-risk countries includes Russia, Belarus, Transnistria, Crimea and other Ukrainian territories illegally annexed or occupied by Russia, as well as Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
All grain and grain product shipments from these countries and territories will be stopped and inspected. The tightened measures will apply both to goods imported into Lithuania and to those transiting through the Klaipėda Port, according to the ministry.
Further reading
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
