Plant health interceptions (EUROPHYT) in May 2024

TRACES: Number of occurrences of harmful organism(s) in commodities imported into the EU or Switzerland (May 2024)

Update

This report summarises EUROPHYT plant health interceptions that occurred in May 2024 on products entering the European Union from low- and middle-income countries.

In May 2024, there were 86 interceptions due to harmful organisms affecting 25 AGRINFO partner countries, and 254 interceptions due to other non-conformities that affected 34 partner countries.

Impacted Products

Plants and plant products

Interceptions

Harmful organisms

In May 2024, there were 86 EUROPHYT interceptions due to harmful organisms affecting 25 low- and middle-income (AGRINFO partner) countries (see Table 1).

Other non-conformities

There were also 254 interceptions due to other non-conformities, affecting 34 partner countries (see Table 2).

For more detail see TRACES: Number of occurrences of harmful organism(s) in commodities imported into the EU or Switzerland (May 2024).

Timeline

May 2024

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

EUROPHYT interceptions can have significant impacts on producers and exporters. A shipment is intercepted at EU border controls when products do not comply with the EU's phytosanitary requirements. As a result, the affected importer/ exporter/ producer may face a range of consequences, including delayed shipments, additional costs of testing and inspection, and potential rejections or destruction of their products. These interceptions can also damage the reputation of the producer/ exporter in the EU market, which may affect their ability to conduct future trade with EU buyers. It can also have impacts on the export sector as a whole, particularly when repeated interceptions lead to more stringent plant health measures or bans.

Recommended Actions

Producers and exporters must take proactive measures to ensure their products comply with EU phytosanitary requirements to avoid the risk of interceptions. This can include implementing effective pest management strategies, using certified seeds and planting material, and complying with regulations and standards.

Background

EUROPHYT is the European Union Notification System for Plant Health Interceptions.

The basis for EUROPHYT interceptions is the obligation for EU Member States (and Switzerland) to rapidly report the occurrence of harmful organisms and other non-conformities found during import controls, to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases. Interceptions due to "other non-conformities" are usually caused by an inaccurate or missing phytosanitary certificate.

Notifications of such interceptions are disseminated EU-wide and to the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of the exporting country. The legal framework for EUROPHYT interceptions is provided by Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on plant health. For more information about plant health law, see EU plant health law explained.

Also see Official Controls Regulation - explained.

Resources

Sources

---

Regulation

TRACES: Number of occurrences of harmful organism(s) in commodities imported into the EU or Switzerland (May 2024)

What is changing and why?

This report summarises plant health (EUROPHYT) interceptions of products entering the European Union from low- and middle-income countries that occurred in May 2024.

There were 86 EUROPHYT interceptions due to the presence of harmful organisms (pests) affecting 25 countries (see Table 1), and 254 interceptions due to other non-conformities, affecting 34 partner countries (see Table 2).

Shipments are intercepted at EU border controls when products do not comply with the EU's phytosanitary requirements. EUROPHYT reports the presence of harmful organisms and other non-conformities found during inspections. Interceptions due to "other non-conformities" are usually caused by an inaccurate or missing phytosanitary certificate.

EUROPHYT interceptions can have significant impacts on importers, exporters, and producers. Those affected may face delayed shipments, additional costs of testing and inspection, and potential rejections or destruction of their products, as well as reputational damage.

Actions

To avoid the risk of interceptions, producers and exporters must take proactive measures to ensure their products comply with EU phytosanitary requirements. This can include implementing effective pest management strategies, using certified seeds and planting material, and complying with regulations and standards.

Timeline

May 2024

---