Kazakhstan blocks pest-infested imports from Armenia, Netherlands

Kazakhstan has prevented the import of shipments from Armenia and the Netherlands after inspectors detected the dangerous quarantine pest known as the western flower thrips.

Phytosanitary inspectors identified the violations at the Almaty International Airport inspection post, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture said the pest was found in a shipment of leafy salad greens imported from the Netherlands, as well as in a consignment of 600 cut flowers brought in from Armenia.

Administrative proceedings have been launched against the owners of the shipments for violating Kazakhstan's plant quarantine legislation.

The case materials have been forwarded to the court for further legal action.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov