EU gives Finland green light to export potato seeds, saplings in Russia

Finland has received permission from the EU to export potato seeds and saplings to Russia.

Seed potatoes amounting to 3,890 tones can be sold to Russia this spring. This agreement is the result of an inspection tour at the Russian Plant Protection Service Rosselkhoznadzor in November 2014.

Potato is under a double embargo due to both phytosanitary and political issues. This means that both bans should be lifted before any trade can commence.

Finland is the first EU country that was allowed to send seeds and samplings to Russia, after the embargo was established in 2013.

The license only grants permission to trade seeds and saplings and does not include potatoes for consumption, according to a finnish newspaper.