Russian landowners barred from foreign travel over uncleared hogweed as new nationwide weed rules take effect

In Russia’s Perm region, court bailiffs have barred the owners of two land plots overrun by the toxic invasive plant hogweed from leaving the country. The Federal Bailiff Service of Russia imposed the restriction on the landowners after they failed to clean up their properties and remove the Sosnowsky’s hogweed. The ban was lifted once the land was cleared, allowing the owners to travel again.

This measure was taken to expedite the required work, according to the bailiffs. A woman who owns a plot in the Osa district was also barred from leaving the country after ignoring orders to remove the hogweed. Her land has since been cleaned up, but the bailiffs will continue to inspect it annually for the next five years. Similar travel bans have been imposed by the FSSP office in the Moscow region, where the owner of a hogweed-infested plot was required to clear the weeds, fix an abandoned house, and remove trash.

Since March 2026, landowners and users throughout Russia have been required to remove hazardous plants like hogweed. Violations can result in fines and the loss of land rights. Previously, regions had implemented their own measures against hazardous plants, including hogweed.