PRESS: Ag Min bashes idea to extend of sanctioned goods list

MOSCOW, Feb 27 (PRIME) -- The Russian Agriculture Ministry did not support a proposal by the Federal Customs Service to extend the list of goods forbidden for imports from Europe, business daily Kommersant reported on Wednesday, citing protocol of a meeting chaired by Maxim Titov, head of the markets department.

In 2014, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated to their worse since the Cold War due to a military conflict in Ukraine. The West has introduced several sets of sanctions against some Russian individuals and companies, the energy and banking sectors since then. In response, Russia limited food imports from some countries, including the U.S., the E.U., Canada, Australia, and Norway.

On February 18, the Federal Customs Service sent a letter to the ministry, offering to replace the list of forbidden goods with a list of food categories to be banned. The service explained the change with a need to filter the goods which serve as a disguise for the forbidden ones.

The Agriculture Ministry said that the measure would create risks for Russian producers and for food supplies.

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