The Ministry of Transport has no information about Latvian ports refusing to accept domestic grain, the ministry told BNN.
Companies providing transportation services strictly comply with all applicable sanctions, while the competent authorities carry out rigorous controls and supervision throughout the logistics chain. At the same time, handling and storage capacity is sufficient to accommodate all declared domestic grain shipments, according to the information report On Solutions in the Area of Grain Transit, which was reviewed at an extraordinary government meeting on Friday, the 4th of September.
The government also decided that ports and state-owned Latvijas dzelzceļš must ensure priority access for the transportation of products from Latvian farmers.
Asked how soon laboratory testing to determine the origin of grain would begin, the Ministry of Transport said the government had decided at the meeting to grant the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) the right to inspect grain cargo in transit at Latvian ports, including verifying its origin. At the same time,
the ministry noted that this issue does not fall within its area of responsibility.
In an interview with Latvijas Radio, PVD Director General Māris Balodis said the service currently does not inspect transit cargo. However, if the government amends the Cabinet regulations governing border controls, the PVD will be authorised to inspect the documentation accompanying such cargo and take grain samples to analyse their possible geographical origin.
Balodis also said that several foreign laboratories would have to be involved in determining the geographical origin of grain transported in transit, stressing that the procedure is not inexpensive. The PVD Director General added that it would be a paid service, with the cost covered by the cargo sender.
The analyses would take approximately one month, while testing a single shipment could cost an estimated 900,000 euros. Balodis explained that the PVD would take a grain sample after receiving advance payment. If the cargo sender refuses to pay, the shipment would not be allowed to cross Latvia’s border.
The government is expected to take a specific decision on granting these powers in mid-September.
Read also: 40% of cargo, millions of euros and a thousand jobs – Liepāja SEZ warns of consequences if transit ban is adopted