Latvia's Parliament Fast-Tracks Border Controls for Grain Shipments from Third Countries

The Saeima, Latvia's parliament, passed amendments to the Law on the Circulation of Animal Feed in an expedited procedure on Thursday, according to the parliament's press service. The changes establish an additional border-control mechanism for grain shipments entering Latvia from countries outside the European Union.

The stated purpose of the amendment is to prevent cargo stolen from Ukraine, including grain, from being transported through Latvian territory. Such shipments are linked to agricultural produce removed from Ukrainian territories affected by the war, which is then allegedly routed through third countries in an attempt to disguise its origin before being sold on international markets.

By adopting the measure urgently, lawmakers pointed to the need to act quickly and close off possible routes these goods could use to enter or pass through Latvia. Under the new rules, grain cargo imported from third countries will now be subject to border control checks.

The Saeima's press service did not provide further technical details on how the control mechanism will operate, but stressed that the amendment is intended to protect legitimate trade and prevent illegally obtained goods from entering circulation via Latvia.