Russia bans Austrian meat and dairy products

Russia has imposed an import ban on meat and dairy products from 15 Austrian companies, in what is being seen as retaliation to Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. The Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection said the products did not comply with Russian standards, stressing the ban had no connection to the Ukraine crisis. Austrian Agriculture Minister Andrae Rupprechter said on Wednesday that he planned to send a special envoy to Moscow next week to further negotiate lifting the ban. In addition, the envoy would investigate whether the ban was linked to the Ukraine crisis, he said. The minister would also discuss a resolution to the issue with representatives from the business community and the veterinary administration. Josef Braunshofer, CEO of Berglandmilch, Austria's biggest dairy company, said products from two of its factories were on the list. Russia has in recent years increased the import of Austrian meat and dairy products, especially cheese and pork.