Latvia’s food service warns grain checks could cost owners 900,000 euros

Checks on transit grain shipments in Latvian ports could cost their owners up to 900,000 euros, the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) told LSM.

The checks are intended to prevent grain stolen from Ukrainian-occupied territories from being transported through Latvia and presented as Russian grain. PVD Director General Māris Balodis said in an interview with Latvijas Radio that the service would be authorised to inspect such shipments, with the owners and consignors paying for the checks and laboratory analysis.

Shipments could continue after the required prepayment is received. If payment is refused, the shipment would not be allowed to cross Latvia’s border.

The PVD has not previously checked transit cargo because such controls were not required in the European Union. However, if the Cabinet of Ministers adds the relevant provisions to its border-control regulations, the service will be able to examine quality certificates and other documents to establish where a shipment came from.

Inspectors would also be able to take grain samples and use isotope and trace-element analysis to determine their possible geographical origin. A country-specific isotope map can help establish whether grain came from a particular region, Balodis said.

The process is both expensive and time-consuming because it requires the involvement of institutions in several countries. Samples would be analysed in France, then sent to a laboratory in the United Kingdom, where the results would be compared with an isotope map of Ukrainian grain created by the UK’s DEFRA laboratory together with Ukrainian colleagues.

Balodis said the process would take about a month and the PVD would most likely need additional staff.