Stricter requirements for imports into the EU of citrus fruits from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and South Africa were endorsed on 21 February by experts from EU Member States.
The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) has thus supported a proposal to extend measures to protect European crops from citrus black spot, a plant disease that does not originate in Europe.
Under the new rules, which have been strengthened, citrus fruits imported from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and Uruguay will be subject to stricter criteria (post-harvest chemical treatments, official on-site inspections in orchards, etc.).
The objective of the measures is to ensure that fruit arriving in the EU “is free” from citrus black spot disease, the Commission explained in a statement.
The decision on the prolongation and reinforcement of emergency measures will be formally adopted by the Commission in the coming weeks. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)