Latvia tightens checks on grain transit amid concerns over crops stolen from occupied Ukraine
Latvia’s parliament has approved tighter border checks on grain shipments from third countries amid concerns that crops stolen from Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine could be transported through Latvian ports with documents listing Russia as their country of origin.
The amendments, adopted by the Saeima under an expedited procedure, allow Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service to inspect shipments and take samples for laboratory testing to establish their geographical origin.
Latvian authorities said Ukraine had provided information about significant volumes of grain illegally obtained in occupied territories and warned that some of it could transit through Latvia under documents declaring Russian origin.
Latvia’s Agriculture Ministry also cited a confirmed, unusually sharp increase in demand for the transit and transshipment of grain from Russia as a reason for introducing more comprehensive checks.
Latvia already bans Russian and Belarusian agricultural products and animal feed from entering its domestic market. However, goods from third countries can still cross Latvia and the EU under external transit procedures without being released onto the EU market.
The new system will also cover transit shipments not intended for sale in the EU. Authorities will be able to test grain when its actual origin is suspected of differing from that listed in accompanying documents, including when it may have come from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said the checks could take up to a month because they require cooperation with institutions in other countries. Latvia cannot hold shipments in ports while testing is underway, but authorities can immediately inform buyers if they receive evidence that a cargo contains stolen Ukrainian grain.
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