Russian butter move will not hurt Ireland
But the move to give Russian domestic production a better climate to develop is unlikely to have any major impact on Irish exports because the volume of Irish product being exported to Russia is minimal.
Following the introduction of Russian import quotas for pigmeat, poultry meat and beef, Moscow informed the EU during a bilateral meeting that it was considering restricting the imports of dairy products.
An additional 30% duty for EU butter was introduced from September to December last year, but was suspended from January.
Talks are likely to continue, but an EU spokesman said the Russian approach “was not very helpful” within the context of ongoing negotiations for Russia to join the World Trade Organisation.
