Eastern border closure stops live animal import from Russia

The closure of four border crossing points of eastern border will completely stop import of live animals and animal foods from Russia, said Finnish Food Authority on Friday.

The government on Thursday decided to close part of Finland's eastern border with Russia for the next three months against the backdrop of influx of the increasing number of asylum seekers.

The border crossing points of Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala will be closed starting on Saturday, said a government press release on Thursday afternoon. The decision will remain in force until February 18, 2024.

The import of live animals and food and products of animal origin from Russia will stop completely, because they cannot be imported through Vaalimaa, which is the only border control post on the eastern border.

Entry checks of consignments leaving via Vaalimaa will not be carried out at the Vuosaari port border control post as long as the border is closed. It is not possible for consignments of animal origin to exit through the northern border crossing points.

The import and transit of live plants and fresh plant products through the land border will also stop, because Vaalimaa is the only border control point allowed for them.

Exports of plants and plant products from Finland to Russia that require a phytosanitary certificate are possible through the border control points that remain open.

The government on Wednesday at a meeting decided that measures to ensure border security following the rapid increase in illegal entry at the eastern border will be taken on Thursday.

Earlier on Tuesday the Ministry of the Interior said, the government may decide to restrict cross-border traffic or to close border crossing points at eastern border with Russia against the backdrop of the influx of increasing number of asylum seekers.