This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28687172
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Russia hits West with food import ban in sanctions row | Russia hits West with food import ban in sanctions row |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Russia is imposing a "full embargo" on food imports from the EU, US and some other Western countries, in response to sanctions over Ukraine. | Russia is imposing a "full embargo" on food imports from the EU, US and some other Western countries, in response to sanctions over Ukraine. |
| Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said it would include fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, milk and dairy imports. | Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said it would include fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, milk and dairy imports. |
| Australia, Canada and Norway are also affected. | Australia, Canada and Norway are also affected. |
| Russia is also banning Ukrainian airlines from transit across its territory, he said in televised comments to the government. | Russia is also banning Ukrainian airlines from transit across its territory, he said in televised comments to the government. |
| Furthermore, the Russian government is considering banning transit flights for EU and US airlines in retaliation for sanctions over Ukraine, he said. | |
| Barring airlines from Siberian airspace would significantly increase costs and flying time for many jets bound for Asian destinations. | Barring airlines from Siberian airspace would significantly increase costs and flying time for many jets bound for Asian destinations. |
| EU food exports to Russia last year were worth 11.8bn euros (£9bn; $15.8bn) while US food exports to Russia were worth 972m euros (£772m; $1.3bn). | |
| Russia was the EU's second biggest market for food exports (10% of total), after the US (13%). | |
| Western governments accuse the Kremlin of fomenting the unrest in eastern Ukraine by supplying weapons and expertise to the pro-Russian separatists. | Western governments accuse the Kremlin of fomenting the unrest in eastern Ukraine by supplying weapons and expertise to the pro-Russian separatists. |
| Last month the EU and US tightened sanctions on Russia, with Brussels applying restrictions to key sectors of the economy as well as individuals. The first round of sanctions came after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March. | Last month the EU and US tightened sanctions on Russia, with Brussels applying restrictions to key sectors of the economy as well as individuals. The first round of sanctions came after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March. |
| Sourcing food in Russia | |
| President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that Russia would take retaliatory sanctions, saying they would last for a year. They take effect immediately. | President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that Russia would take retaliatory sanctions, saying they would last for a year. They take effect immediately. |
| Mr Medvedev ordered the agriculture ministry and producer organisations to find ways to boost Russian farm output in order to prevent price rises for consumers. | |
| Western exports of baby food to Russia are not on the sanctions list. | |
| The Russian authorities say they are confident the supermarket shelves will not be left empty - they are searching for alternative suppliers in South America, Turkey and China. | |
| But filling the gap will not be easy, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg reports from Moscow. It is estimated that in big cities, like Moscow, more than 60% of food in the shops is imported. | |
| The major food exporters to Russia last year were, in order of importance: Belarus ($2.7bn), Brazil ($2.4bn), Ukraine ($1.9bn), Germany ($1.8bn) and Turkey ($1.68bn), Reuters news agency reports. | |
| Cheese tops list | |
| In 2013 the biggest food sector in EU exports to Russia was cheese and curd, followed by pork, then alcoholic drinks, then apples, pears and quinces. | |
| At the end of July Russia banned all fruit and vegetable imports from Poland, which has been among the most vocal critics of Russia's involvement in Ukraine. | |
| In January Russia also imposed a ban on imports of pigs and pork from the EU. The European Commission says that move was "disproportionate", closing a market worth 25% of total EU pig and pork exports. | |
| Before the sweeping new embargo was announced, Russia cited public health reasons for banning certain food and drink imports. | |
| Russia has also banned various food imports from Ukraine and Moldova - two ex-Soviet neighbours whose pro-Western policies have angered the Kremlin. | |
| Are you in Russia? What will the food embargo mean for you? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |