AVA-ASAJA urges EU to tighten citrus import controls

The Valencian Growers' Association (AVA-ASAJA) is calling on the European Union to tighten phytosanitary controls on citrus imports following the detection of the false moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) in orange shipments from South Africa. The detection was reported via the EU's TRACES platform.

AVA-ASAJA president Cristóbal Aguado has urged authorities to ensure South Africa strictly adheres to required cold treatment protocols to prevent the pest from reaching European plantations. The organization noted that a high percentage of imports are not inspected, posing a significant risk. They also recommended extending these preventive cold treatments to other South African citrus species, such as grapefruit and mandarins.

In addition to the moth detection, the association highlighted other recent phytosanitary issues, including the interception of black spot in South African oranges and citrus bacterial canker in lemons from Argentina. AVA-ASAJA has suggested that the EU should consider closing borders to third countries until they can guarantee the phytosanitary safety of their shipments.