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Citrus black spot – EU temporary measures on citrus fruit from certain countries are prolonged

  • Plant health
  • Priority pests

Summary

The European Commission proposes to prolong its temporary measures related to citrus black spot (CBS, Phyllosticta citricarpa) in citrus fruits imported from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe. Stakeholders have an opportunity to comment on the draft Regulation via the EU’s Have your say consultation until 17 February 2025.

EU proposes to prolong temporary measures on citrus from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe to avoid introduction of citrus black spot

Draft Commission Implementing Regulation 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 [Download]

Update

The European Commission proposes to prolong its temporary measures related to citrus black spot (CBS, Phyllosticta citricarpa) in citrus fruits imported from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe. Stakeholders have an opportunity to comment on the draft Regulation via the EU’s Have your say consultation until 17 February 2025.

Impacted Products

Citrus fruits: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, mandarins and pummelos, kumquats, trifoliate orange, and hybrids

What is changing?

The European Union (EU) proposes to prolong its 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 therefore proposes to prolong the 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 proposed Regulation is expected to apply from 1 April 2025.

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 risks damaging a country’s trade reputation and affecting broader agricultural exports.

Countries affected by this proposal can send comments to the EU via the Have your say webpage until 17 February 2025.

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 P. citricarpa 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

Sources

Draft Commission Implementing Regulation 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 [Download]

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

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 prolong temporary measures on citrus from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe to avoid introduction of citrus black spot

Draft Commission Implementing Regulation 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 [Download]

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

What is changing and why?

Since 2022, EU Member States have reported non-compliance with the temporary measures relating to citrus black spot (CBS) in citrus imports from Argentina, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe. As there have been no citrus fruit imports to the EU from Brazil since the measures were introduced, it is not possible to assess its compliance status.

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. The aim is to ensure that the phytosanitary risk is maintained at an acceptable level and to allow for further technical evaluations.

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 broader agricultural exports.

Countries affected by this proposal can send comments to the EU via the Have your say webpage until 17 February 2025.

Timeline

The proposed Regulation is expected to apply from 1 April 2025.

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.