The European Commission has agreed to increase pesticide controls on Turkish lemons and grapefruits imported into the EU. The decision was adopted unanimously by the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food, and Feed - Section: "Import controls and conditions" meeting on November 30.
AILIMPO had informed the Commission of its concern as the official alert data published by the RASFF system indicated there had been a strong increase in the number of Turkish lemons and grapefruit shipments intercepted with pesticide levels that surpassed the official limits established by Community regulations.
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 is amended and the control percentage increases from 10% to 30% in the case of grapefruits, and from 20% to 30% for lemons. This measure will enter into force at the beginning of January and shall be enforced for six months. With it, 3 out of 10 trucks of Turkish lemons and grapefruits entering the EU will have to be subject to strict border controls, including pesticide analysis.
The European Commission justified the decision taken due to the gravity of the situation with Turkey. “The official controls carried out by Member States in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 have demonstrated that lemon and grapefruit shipments from Turkey have a high rate of non-compliance with the relevant requirements provided for in Union legislation regarding pesticide residue contamination. It is, therefore, appropriate to increase the frequency of identity checks and physical checks to be carried out on such consignments entering the Union to 30%.”
Ailimpo's assessment
"Ailimpo, the Spanish lemon and grapefruit interbranch organization, expressed its satisfaction with the decision taken by the European Commission. It's an important decision to defend the interests of European consumers and to strengthen the position of Spanish lemons and grapefruits, which are produced under the highest standards of guarantee established by European regulations."
