Friday 1 August 2014

Russia Ukraine tit-for-tat bans

I have lost track of the tit-for-tat bans surrounding sanctions imposed on Russia but here are few of the headlines I did keep track of this week.

Russia bans dairy imports from Ukraine citing a lack of proper quality control as grounds for the decision.

Russia bans imports of Ukrainian sunflower, soybeans and meal due to contamination with weed seeds from the quarantine list.

Russia bans Polish fruit and vegetables because authorities said the imports had unacceptable levels of pesticide residues and nitrates.

Russia stops Ukraine juice imports "to protect the rights of consumers".

Ukraine bans pork imports from Russia following reports that African Swine Fever virus had appeared in several parts of Russia.

Then dutifully Belarus considers a ban on Ukrainian beef and dairy. 

Where is the WTO in all of this, I’ve not heard a peep out of the toothless quango.

I can’t help thinking it’s farmers who end up paying the price of principle.