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Russia restricts flower imports from Netherlands

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MOSCOW, February 16 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will block imports of flowers from the Netherlands that are accompanied by phytosanitary certificates signed by certain Dutch inspectors, the Russian agriculture watchdog said Friday.

The watchdog said following talks Thursday with representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Quality, "The Russian side expressed concern over the discovery of [196] quarantined objects among horticulture products supplied to Russia from the Kingdom of the Netherlands [in 2006, as compared to 91 in 2005]."

The Dutch side handed the watchdog a list of 165 flower producers and eight exporters that are officially free of the thrips virus, and assured the Russian side of the high qualifications of Dutch flower exporters.

The watchdog received a list of 207 Dutch inspectors authorized to issue phytosanitary certificates on horticulture products imported from the Netherlands, which accounts for 75% of Russia's $1 billion flower market.

But the agriculture watchdog said that 24 inspectors on the list had made repeated violations regarding the presence of quarantined objects in imported products.

"Due to a loss of confidence, the Russian side will not accept phytosanitary certificates issued by these experts as of March 1, 2007," the watchdog said.

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