Latvia strengthens border control over goods from Russia and Belarus

Stricter inspections of imports from Russia and Belarus will be implemented until February 2025.

Aug 25, 2024 - 23:00

Latvia strengthens border control over goods from Russia and Belarus

Latvian flag, illustrative image. Photo via Eastnews.ua.

Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service (FVS) will implement enhanced controls on various Russian and Belarusian goods at border checkpoints starting 25 August, Delfi reports.

The enhanced border checks in Latvia, following similar measures in Estonia, indicate a growing trend among EU member states to scrutinize imports from Russia and Belarus, two countries closely aligned against Ukraine in the ongoing war.

According to the FVS, the intensified inspections aim to “limit risks to human and animal health, as well as, in the case of genetically modified organisms, to the environment. “

The chief food and veterinary inspector decided to strengthen controls by order based on an assessment of control results from 1 April to 31 July.

These results indicated that “shipments of food and feed of Russian and Belarusian origin continue to arrive for control, while concerns about their safety persist, especially at the beginning of the new harvest season,” the service stated.

The enhanced control measures will remain in effect until 23 February 2025.

This move follows Estonia’s introduction of increased customs control on its border with Russia on 8 August.

The new measures apply to all border crossings on the Russian-Estonian border – in Narva, Luhamaa, and Koidula.

Read also:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!