AVA-Asaja demands the EU to review the cold treatment of South Africa after detecting false codling moth in its oranges

The European Commission notified in the past month of September the detection of the false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) in oranges from South Africa, despite the fact that these shipments are required by EU legislation to maintain a cold treatment during the sea journey, which, if the stipulated requirements are met, eliminates all possibility of the presence of this quarantine pest. In light of this new non-compliance by the South African country, the Valencian Association of Farmers (AVA-Asaja) demands that the European Commission undertake a thorough review of the cold treatment mechanism being carried out by South Africa and, if necessary, take "drastic" measures, such as closing the EU borders to citrus fruits from the third country, to prevent the introduction and spread of this dangerous quarantine pest that affects numerous crops and tree species. This detection of the false codling moth in oranges subjected to cold treatment demonstrates that, as AVA-Asaja has ...