OREANDA-NEWS. The Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) has decided to increase import duties on certain dairy products by up to 18.3% from 15.0%, EEC Trade Minister Andrei Slepnyov told reporters.

Established in January 2012, the EEC manages the integration process of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.

Slepnyov said that such an increase could not be considered a protection measure, as the rise is within the approved range under Russia’s membership agreements with the World Trade Organization.

The council’s decision will come into force 30 days after its disclosure. The products in question involve butter, cream cheese, and dairy spread.

The council also decided to increase the import rate to 20% on grated and powdered cheese, and 25% on feta-style cheese.

The EEC council zeroed the import duty on so-called “food” petroleum, which is used in the manufacture of vegetable oil, Slepnyov said.

The duties will be effective for a 90-day period. After 45 days the ECC will analyze the effects produced and check whether it affects the dairy market.