The Parliament of Latvia today, on February 22, voted to ban the import of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus.

This was reported by Delfi.

The law prohibits the importation of agricultural and feed products into Latvia from Russia and Belarus, including if the products of these countries are imported into Latvia from other third countries.

The law will come into effect after it is signed by the president.

The amendments provide that the ban will be in effect until July 1, 2025, and may be extended thereafter if necessary. The annotation to the bill does not specifically explain the definition of the term of the ban, but it likely mentions a specific date to ensure that the law also adheres to the principle of proportionality in the legal field.

The annotation to the amendments explains that Latvia, as a country bordering Russia, is moving towards the rapid severance of economic ties with the aggressor country to protect its security. Latvia's initiative is an additional element of the overall sanctions policy of the European Union.

"Latvia must do everything possible to preserve peace and international security. Latvia will support Ukraine until it achieves victory over Russia," the statement said.

The changes are aimed at preventing the state budgets of aggressor countries and companies from these countries from obtaining additional income from exporting their products to Latvia, thereby contributing to the possibility of continuing the war in Ukraine.

Agricultural and feed products within the meaning of this law include products of agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing, as well as products of the first stage of processing directly related to such products.

The law states that the government must issue rules specifying which agricultural and feed products will be prohibited from being imported into Latvia.

The ban will apply to the release of products into free circulation, except for the release into free circulation for the purpose of delivering products to a recipient in another EU Member State exempt from value-added tax. The ban applies to imports for processing except for imports for processing for the purpose of destroying the products, as well as imports for final consumption.