MOSCOW, July 31 (RAPSI) - Russia’s agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor announced on Monday that more than 16,500 tons of sanctioned food products had been destroyed in Russia since July 2015.

As of late July, 16,524 tons of plant products have been seized; 16,378 tons of which have been destroyed, the statement reads. The watchdog also said that 611 tons of animal products have been forfeited; 474 tons of which have been destroyed.

In June, the Rosselkhoznadzor reported that 14,200 tons of sanctioned food had been destructed.  Thus, about 2,000 tons of products were destroyed inside a month.

In July 2015, President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order on economic measures to ensure security of the Russian Federation and a government resolution on destroying banned food imports.

The goods may be destroyed by any legal means that do not violate environmental regulations, the document reads. The confiscated food must be eliminated regardless of whether the owner or import organizer is known. The presidential executive order validating the decision came into effect on August 6, 2015.