Russia has banned food and agricultural imports from the EU, United States and Canada in response to sanctions over Russia's actions in the Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels and state military are involved in fighting.  

Western leaders have accused the Russian government of supporting pro-Russian separatists in the Ukraine, and condemned military drills being conducted near the Russia-Ukraine border this week. Over 100 aircraft will be taking part in exercises near the border until Friday, the Russian Air Force has said. NATO last month claimed that Russia has been increasing the number of troops along its border.  

The embargo covers fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and fish products. Other states in the European Economic Area, such as Norway, are also included in the ban.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who announced the measures on Thursday, said Russia is also considering preventing some flights from crossing Russian territory. The ban is set to last for one year. Russian leaders said they will attempt to ensure that citizens are not affected by food price rises.

Earlier in the year, the EU Commission referred Russia to the World Trade Organisation over the country's ban on imports of pig products from the entire EU, after the discovery of African Swine Fever in wild boar in two Eastern EU states. The EU claimed that Russia's ban was disproportionate, as other trade partners with disease issues had not faced similar sanctions, and Russia itself has struggled with ASF for a number of years.

It is thought the retaliatory measures announced this week will have the most significant effect on Canada, though Russia is the second largest export destination for EU food and drink exports. Forbes report that the consequence would either be price dumping on the main western European markets, or calls for government subsidies to assist the stricken sectors. Or both.

This will upset an already tense situation in the food retail sector where farmers are asking for better margins from the big retailers such as Carrefour, Ahold, Delhaize, Tesco, Aldi and others.