Poland bans imports of 20,000 tonnes of frozen raspberries from Ukraine as cargo contains plastic

MOSCOW. Feb 13 (Interfax) - The Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection of Lublin, Poland, has banned distribution of 20,000 tonnes of frozen raspberries from Ukraine, as the cargo contains plastic, Ukrainian media said, citing the inspection's statement on a social network.

The frozen raspberries from Ukraine were delivered in 800 paper bags but still contained plastic. "The decision will be enforced immediately," the inspection said.

Ninth Polish Sejm member, Podlaskie Voivodeship Board Chairman Stefan Krajewski pledged to block all Ukrainian products coming to Poland, as he commented on the inspection's decision.

"We act when others shout! The imports of 20,000 tonnes of frozen raspberries to Poland and the EU are banned. Anything that fails to meet European standards will not be allowed to cross the border. We are making up for the inaction of our predecessors and strengthening control, and additional consequences will follow in the coming days," media quoted him as saying on a social network.

In turn, Polish Deputy Agriculture Minister Michal Kolodziejczak said on Monday Poland planned to check all Ukrainian grain imported or transiting Poland.

As reported, Polish farmers announced the beginning of protest on February 9. It is expected to last for 30 days, during which the protesters will be blocking checkpoints at the Ukrainian-Polish border. The board of NSZZ Solidarnose Rolnikow Indywidualnych is one of the protesters, who explain their action with the recent European Commission decision to extend duty-free trade with Ukraine until 2025.