Russia Extends Ban On Western Food Imports, Including From Australia, After EU Sanctions Over Ukrain

Russian president Vladimir Putin has extended a retaliatory ban against most Western food imports, including those from Australia, just days after EU officials prolonged sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine conflict.

"The government turned to me with an appeal to extend the measures," Mr Putin told a government meeting, saying he signed a decree "to extend certain special economic measures with a view to ensuring Russia's security".

"We are extending our retaliatory measures by one year beginning from today," Mr Putin said, adding that he thought it would be good for Russia's domestic agricultural producers.

The food ban introduced last August includes beef, pork, fish, cheese, vegetables, fruit, milk and dairy products from the EU, the United States, Canada, Norway and Australia.

The move came after EU foreign ministers on Monday formally agreed to continue damaging economic sanctions against Russia to January 2016 to ensure it fully implements Ukraine peace accords.

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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-25/putin-extends-russias-ban-on-western-food-ban-for-one-year/6571536