EU: They warn of the first detections of false moth in citrus fruits from South Africa

Fresh Orange

Published Sep 12, 2023

Tridge summary

The Valencian Farmers Association (AVA-ASAJA) is raising concerns about the presence of the false moth in citrus fruits from South Africa entering the European market, despite supposed measures to prevent it. They are calling on the European Union to strengthen the cold treatment of South African citrus fruits to combat this dangerous pest. South Africa has been leading in the number of pest interceptions, including cases of black spot, citrus canker, and scab, in addition to non-compliance issues with shipments.

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Original content

The Valencian Farmers Association (AVA-ASAJA) denounces that in July the European Union (EU) intercepted the first detections in this campaign of the quarantine pest of the false moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) in citrus fruits from South Africa destined for to the European market, one located in a shipment of oranges and another in grapefruits. The organization understands that "these interceptions demonstrate that the measures established by the EU are insufficient for South Africa to stop importing this dangerous pest" and therefore calls on Brussels to "toughen" the cold treatment (the mechanism that prevents the entry of the false moth) to South African citrus fruits, ensuring that “the cold treatment approved for shipments of oranges is rigorously complied with and extended to mandarins and grapefruits as they entail the same phytosanitary risk.” In July, South Africa topped the world ranking of pest and disease interceptions, with 16 detections, all of them in citrus trees. ...

Source: Campocyl