Canada ‘will not be intimidated’ by food ban in Russia: Moore

MONTREAL—Industry Minister James Moore said the world needs to continue to “stand firm” against Russia, despite the escalation of sanctions that saw a one-year ban placed on food exports from Canada and other Western nations.

Moore’s statement comes after Moscow implemented retaliatory measures this week that will see meat and fish, milk and milk products, and fruit and vegetables from Canada, the United States, the European Union (EU), Australia and Norway banned from entering Russia for a year.

While the government will assess how seriously the sanctions could impact the Canadian economy, “we will not be intimidated by these kinds of tactics,” Moore said in Montreal.

Geoff Irvine, head of the Lobster Council of Canada, said the Russian sanctions are “not good” for the nation’s industry.

“For lobster, Russia is a small but potentially good market,” he said. “The biggest impact on seafood in Canada will be on northern shrimp, and maybe cheaper fish like Pacific hake and herring.”

Russia could also introduce restrictions regarding imports of planes, navy vessels and cars, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said, but added that the government will realistically assess its own production potential.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has frequently said Russia’s occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and provocative military activity in eastern Ukraine is a “grave concern” to Canada and the world.

Harper said Canada is prepared to take further actions if Putin’s government continues its military aggression.

With files from The Associated Press