Calls for tighter EU controls on imports from outside block

Data from the EU shows that last year the interceptions of harmful organisms increased in shipments from Third Countries. In July alone, there were two black spot interceptions in citrus from South Africa. According to a Europhyt report, interceptions of harmful organisms in the EU have increased by almost 16% in the past year, with a total of 8,720 from countries not belonging to the European Union. Spanish regional fruit producers association ASAJA-Almería calls for stricter controls at European borders to ensure the health of plantations.

According to the report, the main products intercepted were fruits, vegetables and cut flowers. In 34% of cases, the absence of phytosanitary certificates was the reason for the interceptions. In July there were five citrus shipments from South Africa intercepted in European ports, three of them due to the presence of Thaumatotibia leucotreta or ‘false moth’ and the other two because of Black Spot.