Russia has joined Austria, the Czech Republic and France in banning the import of some fresh vegetables from Germany and Spain in reaction to an E.coli outbreak that has left 14 people in Germany dead.
Suspicion has fallen on organic cucumbers from Spain, either imported by Germany and then re-exported to other European countries or exported directly by Spain, as the source of the outbreak, though it is still unclear exactly when and where they were contaminated and Spanish officials have cautioned against blaming Spain for the outbreak.
Austria has banned the sale of cucumbers, tomatoes and aubergines imported via Germany, while Belgium is reported to have banned cucumber imports from Spain.
Agriculture Minister Rosa Aguilar denies Spanish vegetables are to blame, and that Spain will look into claiming damages for losses incurred. The Minister believes that the problem does not come from the country of origin.
She added that the image of Spain is being damaged, Spanish producers are being damaged and the Spanish government is not prepared to accept this situation.