Brazil intercepts chestnut shipment from Italy containing quarantine pest

International Agricultural Surveillance (Vigiagro) intercepted a 900-kilogram shipment of Portuguese chestnuts from Italy at Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo. The shipment, which arrived on October 7, was found to contain the quarantine pest Cydia splendana, also known as the chestnut moth or chestnut borer.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Cydia splendana is currently considered absent from Brazil. The introduction of this species could pose significant risks to national agricultural production, including reduced productivity, economic losses for producers, and increased control costs due to a lack of natural enemies and adapted management methods in the country.

Furthermore, the presence of the pest could lead to trade restrictions affecting Brazilian agricultural exports. The intercepted load underwent methyl bromide fumigation on October 16 as part of standard phytosanitary protocols for quarantine pests. Samples of the larvae have been sent to a Ministry-accredited laboratory for diagnostic analysis.