Slovakia allows transit of Ukrainian agricultural products, but bans imports

MOSCOW. April 18 (Interfax) - The government of Slovakia on Monday approved the imposition of a ban on imports of grain and some other agricultural products from Ukraine as of April 19, but did not restrict their transit through the country, Ukrainian media reported citing the Agriculture Minister of Slovakia Samuel Vlcan.

The government's decision does not impose a ban on transit through "solidarity lanes" to ports so that Ukrainian products destined for markets outside the European Union can continue to be exported, Vlcan was reported as saying by Slovak news agency TASR.

The ban on imports will apply to grain, sugar, dry feed, hops, flax, hemp, fruits and vegetables, processed fruit and vegetable products, as well as wine, ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, honey and apiculture products.

The ban is intended to protect Slovakia's agricultural sector and the health of the country's consumers, Vlcan said. Poland has resorted to very strict bans, and Slovakia needed to act to protect its market for agricultural and food products, in which it is self-sufficient, the minister added.

Last week, on April 13 the Slovak Agriculture Ministry reported the discovery of 1,500 tonnes of Ukrainian grain that contained banned pesticides, prohibited the use of any Ukrainian grain and flour and recommended a temporary ban on their imports.