Russia bans imports of sunflower, corn seeds from several companies in Chile, Turkey, Hungary, France

MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has banned imports of sunflower seeds and corn seeds from Chile, Turkey, Hungary, and France.

Rosselkhoznadzor said that the ban applies to sunflower seeds from Chile's Pinto Piga Seeds, as well as corn seeds from Turkey's Gls Tohumculuk, the Hungarian division of Syngenta, and France's Lidea.

The ban on sunflower seeds enters into effect on December 13, and the ban on corn seed enters into effect on December 16.

Rosselkhoznadzor said that the ban results from the detection of quarantine objects for Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries, namely sunflower phomopsis leaf and stem blight, and corn leaf spot and the brown marmorated stink bug. Sunflower phomopsis leaf and stem blight could result in a loss of up to 80% of the crop. Potential economic damage is estimated at 2.4 billion rubles from corn leaf spot, and at 2 billion rubles from the brown marmorated stink bug.