Spain: Alarms are ringing over South African thrips

ASAJA Alicante warns that there is great concern in citrus production regarding pests imported from third countries that are mercilessly advancing in lemons, oranges and grapefruits, and will definitely mark the course of this campaign. As usual, this situation is a consequence of the firmness of the European Union with third countries. "We are tired of denouncing that we cannot compete against them, and on top of that our borders are a real sieve of pests that ruin our crops." In fact, in June, July and August South African citrus fruits have already had 20 interceptions of black spot (Phyllosticta citricarpa) in their first three months of export, a figure that ASAJA considers alarming. In this case, the association warns that Scirtothrips aurantii, commonly called South African thrips, is seriously damaging Alicante lemons, which are currently in the development phase. The European Union does not seem to be aware of the situation, so ASAJA Alicante demands decisiveness in its ...