Citrus black spot – EU temporary measures on citrus fruit from certain countries
- Plant health
- Priority pests
Summary
The European Commission has extended the duration of temporary measures related to citrus black spot (CBS, Phyllosticta citricarpa) in citrus fruits imported from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe.
EU prolongs temporary measures on citrus from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe to avoid introduction of citrus black spot
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/505 of 19 March 2025 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/632 as regards the prolongation of the temporary measures concerning specified fruits originating in Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay and Zimbabwe to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union territory of the pest Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Van der Aa
Update
The European Commission has extended the duration of temporary measures related to citrus black spot (CBS, Phyllosticta citricarpa) in citrus fruits imported from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe.
Impacted Products
Citrus fruits: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, mandarins and pummelos, kumquats, trifoliate orange, and hybrids
What is changing?
The European Union has extended the duration of temporary measures on citrus fruits to prevent the introduction of CBS into the EU. The temporary measures, introduced in Regulation 2022/632, were originally due to expire on 31 March 2025, and will now apply until 31 March 2028.
Why?
Since 2022, EU Member States have reported several cases of non-compliance in citrus imports from Argentina, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe due to the presence of CBS. Also, as there have been no citrus fruit imports to the EU from Brazil since the temporary measures were introduced, it is not possible to assess its compliance status.
The EU has therefore extended the duration of control measures on citrus fruits from these countries to ensure the phytosanitary risk for the EU is maintained at an acceptable level, and until further technical and scientific evaluations can be conducted.
Timeline
The Regulation applies from 1 April 2025.
The temporary measures will now apply until 31 March 2028.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe face stricter phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction of CBS into the EU. These include requirements for enhanced pest management practices, regular inspections, and robust certification processes. Non-compliance can result in rejected shipments, financial losses, and additional potential trade restrictions.
Recommended Actions
National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) must work closely with stakeholders to ensure compliance with the additional CBS measures. Persistent non-compliance can damage a country’s trade reputation and affect agricultural exports more broadly.
Background
The requirements in Regulation 2022/632 are based on risk, and depend on the country of origin. Key requirements are as follows.
- Citrus fruits must originate from registered and approved sites/places of production where CBS has not been detected. Updated lists of approved production sites must be communicated to the EU before each export season.
- Phytosanitary certificates must confirm compliance, including inspections and traceability codes, and must contain the following statement under the heading “Additional Declaration”: “The consignment complies with Annex [insert Annex number according to country] of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/632”.
- Fruits must be subject to multiple inspections (field, packing, and export stages), and sampling must be risk based.
- Less strict requirements are applied for fruits destined for industrial processing.
Resources
EFSA (2014) Scientific Opinion on the risk of Phyllosticta citricarpa (Guignardia citricarpa) for the EU territory with identification and evaluation of risk reduction options. EFSA Journal, 12(2): 3557.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/632 setting out temporary measures in respect of specified fruits originating in Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay and Zimbabwe to prevent the introduction into, and the spread within, the Union territory of the pest Phyllosticta citricarpa
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/505 as regards the prolongation of the temporary measures concerning specified fruits originating in Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay and Zimbabwe to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union territory of the pest Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Van der Aa
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 prolongs temporary measures on citrus from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe to avoid introduction of citrus black spot
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/505 as regards the prolongation of the temporary measures concerning specified fruits originating in Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay and Zimbabwe to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union territory of the pest Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Van der Aa
What is changing and why?
Temporary measures on citrus fruits imported to the European Union (EU) from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe have been prolonged, and will apply until 31 March 2028. These temporary measures aim to prevent the introduction into the EU of citrus black spot (CBS, Phyllosticta citricarpa).
The EU has extended the duration of its control measures on citrus fruits from these countries to ensure the phytosanitary risk for the EU is maintained at an acceptable level. Since 2022, EU Member States have reported several cases of presence of CBS in citrus imports from Argentina, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe. (Compliance from Brazil could not be evaluated as there have been no citrus fruit imports to the EU from this country since the temporary measures were introduced.)
Actions
National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) must work closely with stakeholders to ensure compliance with the additional CBS measures. Persistent non-compliance can damage a country’s trade reputation and affect agricultural exports more broadly.
Timeline
The Regulation applies from 1 April 2025.
The temporary measures will now apply until 31 March 2028.
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.