Intercitrus demands that the European Commission take measures against pests in August imports

The Spanish Citrus Association Intercitrus demands that the European Commission implement “urgent and decisive measures” in response to the 26 detections of pests and diseases detected in citrus imports from third countries in August. Many of them were declared quarantine pests, such as black spot (Phyllosticta citricarpa), false citrus moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta), citrus scab (Elsinoë) and citrus bacterial canker (Xanthomonas citri) - which accumulated during the month of August in citrus imports from third countries destined for the European Union. South Africa led the interceptions with eight cases of black spot, seven of them in shipments of lemons. In its first three months of export campaign to Europe, the South African country is already approaching twenty detections of the main fungal disease of citrus not present on European soil. In addition, located on the border with South Africa, Zimbabwe recorded in August one detection of black spot and one of false moth in its ...