MOSCOW -- The Russian Parliament, which has been debating new legislation relating to agriculture, voted Friday not to permit the sale of farmland to foreign nationals.

Out of 450 deputies at the second reading of the bill, 366 voted for a clause that says foreign nationals, or companies whose capital majority is foreign owned, are only allowed to lease land for agricultural purposes.

During the first reading, the bill as passed by the Duma Parliament called for equality between foreigners and Russians regarding land ownership.

In recent days however President Vladimir Putin and parliamentary factions close to the Kremlin had supported limiting ownership to Russians, DPA reported.