UPDATE: Russian watchdog suggests EU suspend Dutch flower certification

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MOSCOW, Jul 27 (PRIME) -- The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight (Rosselkhoznadzor) has suggested the E.U. suspend certification of flowers from the Netherlands to Russia until consultations on phytosanitary security are over, the service said in a statement Monday.

“Taking into account the seriousness of the situation and in order to support the required level of phytosanitary security in Russia…Rosselkhozandzor thinks it is necessary to hold technical consultations with competent structures of the E.U. on the issue in order to avoid temporary restrictions for import of cut flowers from the E.U.,” the service said.

Previously, the service said that flower exports from the Netherlands should be suspended due to undesired organisms that are repeatedly found in them.

Alexei Alekseyenko, aide to the service’s head, told PRIME that the service did not impose a ban on imports of the Dutch flowers, it is waiting for the E.U. to respond to the request and is also ready to hold talks on phytosanitary security already this week.

“If they do not respond, restrictive measures will be imposed,” he said.

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