Tighter controls on grain imports from Russia and other heightened-risk countries take effect on Monday, with every rail or road shipment destined for the Lithuanian market or for export via the Klaipėda port to be inspected.
The Agriculture Ministry expects the controls to be further tightened in the near future to involve checking the origin of grain transported through Lithuania as well.
“In response to information about grain seized by Russia in the occupied territories being sold via Baltic Sea ports, the Agriculture Ministry has urgently taken measures to tighten controls on grain imported from Russia and other heightened-risk countries,” Agriculture Minister Kęstutis Navickas said in a press release on Monday.
For now, only feed grains will be inspected, with checks on food grains to start later.
The list of heightened-risk countries includes Russia, Belarus, Transnistria, Russia's annexed Crimea and other Ukrainian territories that are not controlled by the Kyiv government, as well as Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
From Monday, feed grain samples will be taken from every wagon or vehicle and checked for pesticide residues, mycotoxins and metals (lead, cadmium).
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