Wasteland Images Loom As Russia Enforces Banned Foods Destruction

A presidential decree ordering the mass destruction of banned Western food imports entered into force on Thursday. Authorities in several regions have already got to work on what they said were illegal imports, determined to press on with destroying illegal imports they consider "a security threat."



Moscow banned many Western food imports last year in retaliation for sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union and other of their allies during the confrontation over Ukraine. The ban, currently in place until Aug. 5, 2016, covers a wide range of imports including pork, beef, poultry, fish and seafood, milk and dairy products, fruits, vegetables and nuts. It applies to food from the United States, EU, Canada, Australia and Norway.