Russia bans imports of seeds, planting material grown in Netherlands as of June 30

MOSCOW. June 30 (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has banned the import of seeds and planting material grown in the Netherlands from Russia as of June 30, 2025.

Rosselkhoznadzor has said that this measure is to maintain phytosanitary well-being and prevent the spread of quarantine objects in the Russia.

Rosselkhoznadzor said that a ban on direct deliveries of seeds and planting material from the Netherlands to Russia has been in effect since November 23, 2023. The products are supplied accompanied by phytosanitary certificates from other countries.

"In June this year, there were three cases of infection with quarantine objects for Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member countries were detected in seeds and plants for protected ground of Dutch origin supplied to Russia accompanied by phytosanitary certificates from Hungary, Belarus, and Lithuania. Dodder Custata L. and Franclinella occidentalis Pergande were detected," according to the statement.

"Systematic cases of detection of quarantine objects in Dutch plant products confirm the absence of measures taken by the competent authority of the Netherlands to ensure phytosanitary safety during export," Rosselkhoznadzor said.

As of June 22, 2025, 9.6 million units of planting material and 530.5 tonnes of seed material of Dutch origin were imported to Russia, while 41.6 million units and 671.9 tonnes were imported, respectively, for the whole of 2024, according to the Argus-Phyto federal government information system.