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This means that Latvian fish canneries will be able to continue producing smoked sprats according to traditional methods, as Agriculture Ministry informed the business portal Nozare.lv.

Previously the European Commission said that the maximum level of benzopyrene in smoked sprats must not exceed five micrograms per kilogram of product, whereas Latvia insisted on eight micrograms. After the latest round of negotiations in Brussels, it was agreed that the maximum level of benzopyrene in smoked sprats will remain unchanged, writes LETA.

The agreement was reached after multiple analyses and meetings with European Commission officials. Agriculture Minister Janis Duklavs (Union of Greens and Farmers) is pleased that the ministry, in close cooperation with Latvian Fish Canneries Association, was able to achieve that Latvian smoked sprats be prepared using traditional methods.