As many as 17 tonnes of Moldovan apricots were sent back by inspectors of Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary watchdog “Rosselhoznadzor” after being examined at the international border crossing point “Novyie Yurkovichi”, IPN reports.

According to a communiqué posted on the website of “Rosselhoznadzor”, the oriental fruit moth (Grapholitha molesta) was detected in the Moldovan apricots. Therefore, all the apricots were sent back.

“Rosselhoznadzor” says that during the fruit harvest season last year, the oriental moth was found in 13 consignments of Moldovan fruit. The fact that such cases repeat show that the orchards in Moldova face phytosanitary problems.