Russia lifts ban on New Zealand dairy products

Russia has announced that it will lift a ban on imports from 29 New Zealand-based dairy producers.

The move is aimed at meeting the country’s shortage of milk products due to the food import ban from western countries.

Russia banned dairy products from the country in 2013, after New Zealand-based Fonterra found a botulism-causing toxin in one of its products.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries said in a statement: "We can confirm that the temporary restrictions have been lifted on 29 New Zealand dairy plants for some products, such as anhydrous milk fat and whey and whey concentrates.

"We’re continuing to work with the Russian authorities to lift the temporary restrictions on the remaining products produced at those 29 plants."

The current move followed Russia’s extension of the one year ban on the import of food products, including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, and milk products from the US, European Union nations, Norway, Canada, and Australia.

The ban was in retaliation to the western sanctions that were introduced on the country due to its alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.

Recently, Russia also started destroying food products that were said to have been smuggled from banned countries. The country is said to have destroyed over 350 tonnes of food.

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Image: Russia imposed a ban on New Zealand dairy products in 2013. Photo: courtesy of aopsan/freedigitalphotos.net.