Changes to Union quarantine pest list, and new citrus phytosanitary requirements for China
- Plant health
- Plant health certification
Summary
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it intends to amend the Union quarantine pest list, and to introduce new phytosanitary import requirements for citrus fruits, Poncirus fruits, and their hybrids originating in China to prevent the citrus fruit midge Resseliella citrifrugis (G/SPS/N/EU/958).
EU proposes to add two citrus pests to the Union quarantine pest list; and to introduce new phytosanitary requirements for China related to citrus fruit midge
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards measures to prevent the entry into the Union territory, and the spread within it, of Resseliella citrifrugis, Chrysobothris femorata, Chrysobothris mali, Citripestis sagittiferella and Begomoviruses as regards the name of Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann), and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 as regards Resseliella citrifrugis
Update
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it intends to amend the Union quarantine pest list, and to introduce new phytosanitary import requirements for citrus fruits, Poncirus fruits, and their hybrids originating in China to prevent the citrus fruit midge Resseliella citrifrugis (G/SPS/N/EU/958).
Impacted Products
Citrus fruits, pomelo, Poncirus fruits (trifoliate oranges), and their hybrids
What is changing?
Proposed changes to Union quarantine pest list
The EU proposes to amend the Union quarantine pest list as follows.
Additions
Two pests associated with citrus fruits are added to the list:
- citrus fruit midge (Resseliella citrifrugis), a citrus gall midge affecting Citrus species and Poncirus trifoliata
- citrus fruit borer (Citripestis sagittiferella), a moth whose larvae develop inside citrus fruits, particularly pomelo (Citrus maxima).
Removals
Two Begomoviruses are removed from the list:
- honeysuckle yellow vein virus
- cotton leaf curl Gezira virus.
New phytosanitary import requirements
The draft Regulation also introduces new phytosanitary import requirements for citrus fruits, Poncirus fruits, and their hybrids originating in China to prevent the introduction of citrus fruit midge (R. citrifrugis). Consignments exported to the EU will in future have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate confirming that the fruits have been produced according to one of the following options:
- originate from a pest-free area or pest-free place of production;
- have been produced under an approved systems approach; or
- have undergone an effective post-harvest treatment.
If China uses a systems approach or post-harvest treatment, it must communicate this in advance to the European Commission, and certain additional information must be included in the phytosanitary certificate. For more details see the Draft Annex. 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.
Although C. sagittiferella is added as a Union quarantine pest affecting citrus, no additional import requirements are introduced at this stage as interceptions have been limited, and larval damage is detectable during inspections.
Other proposed new requirements mainly concern plants for planting and wood.
Why?
Updated and new information from pest risk assessments, pest risk categorisations, or pest risk analyses conducted by the European Food Safety Authority, the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), and EU Member States provides a scientific basis for listing new EU quarantine pests or for updating the lists (EFSA 2023).
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be published in the fourth quarter of 2026, and will enter into force 20 days after publication. There will be a transition period of 6 months before the new requirements are applied.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
China will need to adapt its citrus export certification and pest management procedures to meet the new requirements for Resseliella citrifrugis. Consignments found to contain any listed Union quarantine pest may be refused entry into the EU.
Recommended Actions
Competent authorities of countries that are members of the WTO can submit comments on the EU’s proposal by emailing the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 18 August 2026 (G/SPS/N/EU/958).
Background
Resseliella citrifrugis will now be removed from Regulation 2022/1941 on the prohibition of introduction and movement of certain pests; instead it will be listed as a Union quarantine pest under Regulation 2019/2072.
Resources
EFSA (2023) Risk assessment of Resseliella citrifrugis for the EU. EFSA Journal, 21(5): 8005.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 on the prohibition of introduction, movement, holding, multiplication or release of certain pests
Sources
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards measures to prevent the entry into the Union territory, and the spread within it, of Resseliella citrifrugis, Chrysobothris femorata, Chrysobothris mali, Citripestis sagittiferella and Begomoviruses as regards the name of Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann), and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 as regards Resseliella citrifrugis
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
EU proposes to add two citrus pests to the Union quarantine pest list; and to introduce new phytosanitary requirements for China related to citrus fruit midge
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards measures to prevent the entry into the Union territory, and the spread within it, of Resseliella citrifrugis, Chrysobothris femorata, Chrysobothris mali, Citripestis sagittiferella and Begomoviruses as regards the name of Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann), and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 as regards Resseliella citrifrugis
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) proposes to amend the Union quarantine pest list as follows.
Two pests associated with citrus fruits are added to the list:
- citrus fruit midge (Resseliella citrifrugis), a citrus gall midge affecting Citrus species and Poncirus trifoliata
- citrus fruit borer (Citripestis sagittiferella), a moth whose larvae develop inside citrus fruits, particularly pomelo (Citrus maxima).
Two viruses are removed from the list:
- honeysuckle yellow vein virus
- cotton leaf curl Gezira virus.
The draft Regulation also introduces new phytosanitary import requirements for citrus fruits, Poncirus fruits, and their hybrids originating in China to prevent the introduction of citrus fruit midge (R. citrifrugis). The phytosanitary certificate must confirm that the fruits originate from a pest-free area or place of production, or have undergone an approved systems approach, or an effective post-harvest treatment. See the full report for details.
Although C. sagittiferella is added as a Union quarantine pest affecting citrus, no additional import requirements are introduced at this stage as interceptions have been limited, and larval damage is detectable during inspections.
Other proposed new requirements mainly concern plants for planting and wood.
Actions
Competent authorities of countries that are members of the World Trade Organization can submit comments on the EU’s proposal by emailing the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 18 August 2026 (G/SPS/N/EU/958).
China will need to adapt its citrus export certification and pest-management procedures to meet the new requirements for Resseliella citrifrugis. Consignments found to contain any listed Union quarantine pest may be refused entry into the EU.
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be published in the fourth quarter of 2026, and will enter into force 20 days after publication. There will be a transition period of 6 months before the new requirements are applied.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.