18 Jun 2014 19:31

Agricultural watchdog bans import of infected potatoes from Morocco

MOSCOW. June 18 (Interfax) - Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has banned the import of infected potatoes from Morocco.

According to a message from the veterinary services, pale potato cyst nematodes, which Russia can quarantine, was discovered in six shipments of potatoes from Morocco to St. Petersburg weighing a total of around 500 tonnes.

The import of all shipments was banned.

Potato cyst nematodes, which do not exist in Russia, are one of the most dangerous pests found in potatoes and are able to destroy up to 100% of a harvest. To a lesser extent, this can also affect tomatoes, eggplant, nightshade and henbane.