Four tons of Turkish tomatoes destroyed in Crimea
The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Rosselkhoznadzor, reported that four tons of Turkish tomatoes were destroyed in the Crimea, according to the agency’s press service, RBC reported. The banned products were being smuggled into the Crimea using the Kerch Strait ferry.
"An attempt to import four tons of tomatoes of Turkish origin to Crimea was prevented on the Kerch Strait ferry. Products forbidden for import have been confiscated and buried in the Simferopol and Kerch solid waste landfills," the statement read.
Representatives of Rosselkhoznadzor also seized 160 kilograms of kiwi from Greece and Poland, 39 kilograms of lettuce, 64 kilograms of broccoli and 200 kilograms of pears from Italy, as well as 514 kilograms of tomatoes and 20 kilograms of pepper from Turkey at the wholesale market "Crimean Privoz".
A Russian ban on the import of Turkish produce came into effect on January 1st. The list of sanctioned food includes oranges, tangerines, grapes, apples, pears, apricots, peaches, plums, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, cauliflower and a variety of poultry products. Cloves and salt from Turkey are also banned.
Relations between Russia and Turkey have deteriorated sharply after a Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Su-24 bomber near the Turkish-Syrian border at the end of November. According to Ankara, the aircraft violated Turkish airspace. Moscow denied the accusation and introduced sanctions against Turkey.