Kremlin Explains Aim of Embargoed Food Destruction in Russia

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin's decree on the destruction of any embargoed food found in the country came into force. Products imported into the Russian Federation in violation of the embargo can be destroyed in any manner approved by law and in compliance with environmental regulations.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The destruction of embargoed food imports in Russia is aimed at curbing the smuggling of questionable products without proper markings, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

"Of course, it may not look very nice," Peskov told reporters, answering a question on whether it is ethical to destroy embargoed food.

"But if you think about it, these are smuggled goods that lack any certificates and so one, and no one can take the responsibility and guarantee that these products, which may look appealing, are not dangerous for human health," he added.

According to the spokesman, the Kremlin is aware of petitions to stop the destruction of this food. "Of course, this is taken into account. Of course, it is passed on to the relevant expert authorities," he said.

In August 2014, Russia shut its borders to a range of food imports from the United States, the European Union and their allies, after they had imposed sanctions on Moscow over the Ukrainian crisis. Western sanctions were extended in 2015, prompting the Kremlin to keep its foods embargo in place for another year.

On Thursday, Russian officials and border guards destroyed almost 460 tons of illegal food imports, including apples, peaches, tomatoes, pork and cheese from the United States, Canada, Australia, Norway and the European Union.

Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev defended the drastic measures, saying Russia could not risk the health of its citizens. He added Moscow was considering whether to add new items to the blacklist. had