The Russian government yesterday destroyed tonnes of contraband fruit and vegetables with tractors in a public demonstration of its seriousness about its ban on EU and other produce.
Russia’s agricultural watchdog, Rosselkhznadzor, revealed that it had destroyed a total of 290 tonnes of fruit and vegetables, including peaches, nectarines, apples and tomatoes.
Since the ban’s introduction last summer, Russian importers have regularly succeeded in importing repackaged EU and other banned produce from neighbouring countries such as Belarus. However, the government’s move signals its intent to enforce the ban fully.
The decision has raised protests in Russia, however, including a petition urging the government to donate the food instead to the poor, who have been hit hard by the rouble’s depreciation and a rise in prices due to the ban.
In response, president Vladimir Putin focused on the positive impact that the ban could have on local production.
