Russia bans seed imports from Monsanto's Dutch nursery as of Aug 15

MOSCOW. Aug 15 (Interfax) - Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has banned imports of seeds from Monsanto's nursery in the Netherlands effective August 15 after finding ragweed in them.

This dangerous weed, which is subject to quarantine in Eurasian Economic Union countries, was discovered during a quarantine phytosanitary inspection of cauliflower seeds originating in France, the agency said. They arrived in Russia accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national organization for quarantine and plant protection of the Netherlands.

"Measures have been taken to ensure phytosanitary well-being and prevent the import and distribution of this quarantinable object on the territory of Russia," the watchdog said.

Multinational Monsanto is one of the world leaders in plant biotechnology.