in january of that year kazakhstan banned imports of meat from russia and set a prohibitive customs duty for six months on meat imported from uzbekistan and the kyrgyz republic because the devaluation of those countries currencies sharply reduced the cost of their meat on june after devaluing its own currency kazakhstan withdrew these restrictions a sixmonth ban on food and grain imports from russia was also in pace in to protect domestic market from lowcost russian exports the countries may unilaterally impose a temporary nontariff measure if it among other specified cases is aimed at the protection of life and health of citizens environment life and health of animals and plants