Russia approves order of destroying sanctioned food imports

MOSCOW, Jul 31 (PRIME) -- The Russian government has approved an order of destroying sanctioned food on the border, according to a ruling signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday.

The sanctioned food, imported from the U.S., the E.U., Canada, Australia or Norway, will be destroyed even if a company responsible for the import is not found.

The decision to destroy the imports will be made by the Federal Customs Service, the Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare Oversight or the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight within their competence.

Sanctioned food will be destroyed in “any appropriate way” within the framework of the legislation on environmental protection.

The decree to destroy all imports of sanctioned food was signed by President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The decree does not cover food imported by individuals for private consumption or in order to transit the goods to third countries, if food has veterinary and phytosanitary certificates and federal watchdogs have a reason to believe that the food will be transited instead of kept in Russia.

Relations between Russia and the West worsened in 2014 due to a military conflict in Ukraine. The West introduced sanctions against some Russian individuals and firms and against oil, gas, and banking sectors. In response, Russia limited food imports from some countries.

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