The European Union is reportedly considering new sanctions against seafood of Russian origin as the divide between the bloc and the country grows.
German publication Die Welt reported the E.U. is considering new sanctions against Russian seafood, including Russian pollock. The E.U. already banned a number of Russian seafood items in a sanctions package in 2022, including items like crustaceans and caviar, but pollock was still allowed.
The potential sanctions are coming in the wake of a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) nations in Apulia, Italy, in June, which saw the group accuse Russia of unfair trading practices on fish and seafood. A lengthy ”Communiqué” issued by the group said Russia’s seafood trade was environmentally unsustainable and was using unfair trading practices.
Die Welt said that there will likely be discussions on potentially expanding sanctions after the E.U. Commission’s summer break in mid-September.
Statistics from the E.U. Fish Processors and Traders Association indicates sanctions could have heavy impacts on a number of European countries, as 70 percent of the bloc’s pollock comes from Russia. German businesses also said that a ban could have heavy impacts as there would be no ready replacement for the volume of pollock it imports from Russia, according to Die Welt.
The E.U. already adopted a regulation in November 2023 on autonomous tariff quotas (ATQs), which specifically excluded Russian pollock. ATQs allow products to enter the E.U. with suspended or reduced duties; Russia’s exclusion means it lost its preferential tariff rates.
The potential sanctions would add to ...
