Russian officials have begun burning Dutch flowers because they may be infected with bugs, news agency Reuters reports.

Russia says many consignments of Dutch flowers are contaminated with pests which form a risk for the domestic market.

But critics say the impending ban on Dutch flower imports is Moscow’s retaliation for the Dutch investigation into the downing of flight MH17 a year ago over eastern Ukraine. Pro-Russian rebels are thought to be responsible.

Reuters quotes a Russian agricultural watchdog as telling a television audience the flowers are infected with western Californian flower thrips. Some 5% of Dutch flower sales go to Russia and the agency is now considering a total ban, Reuters says.