Starting from October 21, 2024, Rosselkhoznadzor will implement temporary restrictions on importing cut flowers and buds into the Russian Federation, accompanied by Kazakh phytosanitary certificates issued predominantly for products from countries considered unfriendly. Kazakhstan re-exports most of these flowers from the Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium. However, the competent authorities of these countries fail to ensure an adequate level of product safety control.
The decision is aimed at preserving Russia's phytosanitary well-being and export volumes. It also comes in response to numerous instances (43 cases) in 2023 and 2024 of detections in flower products of a quarantine pest for the member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union - the Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande), which is a polyphagous pest.
The potential economic damage from the penetration and spread of the Western flower thrips is estimated to be over 11.5 billion rubles (over EUR110 million).
Source: fsvps.gov.ru