Belarus is introducing temporary licensing of apple imports for a period of six months. The relevant resolution of the Council of Ministers was commented on by the head of the International Cooperation and Application of Non-Tariff Measures Department of the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade, Maxim Prudnikov.

According to Maxim Prudnikov, the decision was taken to protect the domestic market and to provide consumers with quality Belarusian products at affordable prices.

The government resolution provides for the introduction of a temporary non-tariff measure for six months in the form of licensing apple imports.

Licenses will be issued by the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

The grounds for refusing to issue such a license will be the possibility of using or purchasing, on the date the application is submitted, Belarusian-produced apples that are similar to those being imported.

The non-tariff measure does not apply to goods transported across the territory of Belarus in the framework of international transit shipments, to goods originating from EAEU member states subject to confirmation by the appropriate certificate, nor to goods imported as part of foreign aid.

Thus, licensing will affect only those apple supplies that could compete with the domestic harvest.