The EU Increases the Control of Pesticides on Turkish Lemons and Grapefruits to 30%

The European Commission has given the green light to increase pesticide controls on Turkish lemons and grapefruits imported into the EU. The decision was unanimously adopted by the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food, and Feed in a meeting on November 30. The implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 is modified and the control percentage goes from 10% to 30% in the case of grapefruit and from 20% to 30% for lemons. This measure, which will come into force at the beginning of January for six months, will mean that 3 out of 10 trucks of Turkish lemons and grapefruits that enter the EU must be subject to strict border controls, including pesticide analysis. The European Commission has justified the decision taken due to the seriousness of the situation with Turkey regarding pesticides.