Changes to plant health import requirements

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/826 of 14 April 2026 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards the listing of pests and rules on the introduction into, and movement within, the Union territory of plants, plant products and other objects

Update

The European Union (EU) has published stricter import rules for ginger and turmeric from all non-EU countries; and for citrus fruits from the Americas including Latin America and the Caribbean islands, but excluding Canada and the United States. These rules address the risk from the bacterium Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum for ginger and turmeric; and the risk from the citrus fruit borer Gymnandrosoma aurantianum for citrus fruits. These products will require additional declarations on phytosanitary certificate specifically stating how authorities ensure that consignments are free from the respective pest.

In addition, the rules are amended to clarify that both mangosteens and ginseng roots require phystosanitary certificates.

Impacted Products

Edible ginger and turmeric rhizomes, citrus fruits

What is changing?

New requirements for ginger and turmeric rhizomes

To prevent the spread of bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, the EU has introduced new requirements for edible fresh or chilled rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) imported from any country outside the EU. This affects products under CN “ex 0910 11 00” and “ex 0910 30 00” (where “ex” means that only the specifically named product within the broader customs category is affected).

Each consignment requires the completion of a statement within the Additional Declarations section of the phytosanitary certificate, confirming that the rhizomes come:

(a) from a country recognised as free from R. pseudosolanacearum; or

(b) from an officially established pest-free area that is named under “Place of origin”; or

(c) from a registered and supervised site of production that has been officially inspected and found to be free of the pest, where a sample has been tested prior to export using appropriate molecular methods, and where traceability to the site is ensured.

The approach chosen from these options must be indicated in the phytosanitary certificate.

New requirements for citrus fruit from the Americas

To prevent the spread of citrus fruit borer (Gymnandrosoma aurantianum), new requirements have been added for fruits of Citrus originating in the Americas including Latin America and the Caribbean islands, but excluding Canada and United States. This affects products under several 0805 CN codes.

Each consignment now requires completion of an Additional Declaration in the phytosanitary certificate, confirming that the fruits:

(a) come from a country recognised as free from G. aurantianum; or

(b) come from an officially recognised pest-free area that is named under “Place of origin”; or

(c) come from a pest-free place of production that has received official inspections showing no pest presence; or

(d) have been produced using a systems approach.

The systems approach selected from these options must be indicated in the phytosanitary certificate. The use of options (a), (b), or (d) requires prior notification in writing to the European Commission.

In the case of both ginger/turmeric and citrus fruit, it is important to review the full details of the options (summarised above) as set out in in Regulation 2019/2072

When completing the phytosanitary certificate, the exact text from the legislation (for the selected option) must be copied and pasted into the Additional Declaration. For an illustration, see the AGRINFO Guide Exporting fresh capsicum to the European Union.

Mangosteen and ginseng roots

Amendments have been made to the list of products requiring phytosanitary certificates (Regulation 2019/2072, Annex XI, Part B) to make it clear that mangosteens and ginseng roots have to meet these requirements. It is also clarified that ginseng roots, in the same way as other root and tubercle vegetables require an additional declaration in relation to the presence of soil (Annex VII, point 12).

Clarification of CN codes

Regulation 2026/826 also updates certain CN codes (in relation to cauliflowers, broccoli, pecan nuts, pine nuts and groundnuts (peanuts)) to align Regulation 2019/2072 with recent changes made to the customs code.

Why?

Recent pest risk assessments and pest outbreaks indicate that international trade is a key pathway for the introduction of these harmful organisms. Fresh rhizomes of turmeric and ginger are now considered higher risk for the spread of R. pseudosolanacearum, and stricter controls of citrus are seen as necessary to reduce the risk of introduction of G. aurantianum, which is present in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Timeline

The requirement for additional declarations on phytosanitary certificates for ginger and turmeric rhizomes, and citrus fruit from the Americas applies from 15 October 2026.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

Distribution maps published by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) show that R. pseudosolanacearum and G. aurantianum are widely present in tropical and subtropical regions. The stricter import requirements concerning ginger/turmeric rhizomes and citrus could therefore have an impact on numerous countries exporting to the EU.

Recommended Actions

Public authorities and operators will need to ensure that the necessary measures and inspection services are in place, and are applied efficiently and effectively at all times, to guarantee that exports fully meet the new EU rules. In the case of citrus from the Americas, the EU must be notified in advance in writing before export to obtain official validation if certain options are selected.

Public–private dialogue between key national stakeholders can help in developing a phytosanitary management plan (surveillance, controls, certification, data, traceability) to ensure alignment with EU requirements. The COLEAD guidelines on Capsicum can serve as a practical reference (COLEAD 2023).

Background

Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum is an EU quarantine pest (see EU Plant Health Law explained). A few outbreaks have already occurred in Europe, but its distribution is limited and under official control. The EU therefore applies internal measures (surveillance, demarcated areas, and requirements for the movement of host plants) as well as reinforced import requirements, in particular for fresh ginger and turmeric rhizomes, which have been identified as an important pathway of entry.

The EU's Combined Nomenclature (CN) (Annex I to Regulation 2658/87) is updated annually, and was amended by Implementing Regulation 2023/2364.

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