Requirements for import of citrus fruits into the European Union

Event Reporting

• Rationale for Phytosanitary Requirements

Publication Date

06-06-2016

Last Updated

June 6, 2016, 1:40 p.m.

Short Description

Exporting country shall issue a phytosanitary certificate to confirm official statements for a consignement of fruits of Citrus L., Fortunella Swingle, Poncirus Raf. and their hybrids refferd to in the Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community; the requirements for import of citrus fruits are laid down in points 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.5 of Section I of Part A of Annex IV to Directive 2000/29/EC.

Due to the recurrent high number of interceptions on infected citrus fruits originating in some countries, including Brasil, South Africa, and Uruguay citrus fruits have been subject to specific measures for introduction into the EU. As required by Commission Implementing Decision 2016/715/EU, for the export and marketing of fruits for consumption originating in Brasil, South Africa, and Uruguay and destined to the EU - for fruits of Citrus L., Fortunella Swingle, Poncirus Raf., and their hybrids, other than fruits of Citrus aurantium L. and Citrus latifolia Tanaka - the official statement has to be given by the respective National Plant Protection Organisation, issuing a phytosanitary certificate for the fruits without prejudice to the requirements laid down in points 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 and 16.5 of Section I of Part A of Annex IV to Directive 2000/29/EC.

By way of derogation from points 16.4(c) and (d) of Section I of Part A of Annex IV to Directive 2000/29/EC, specified citrus fruits originating in Brazil, South Africa or Uruguay shall be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, as referred to in the first subparagraph of point (ii) of Article 13(1) of Directive 2000/29/EC, including under the heading ‘Additional declaration’ a registered production unit code and the following elements: (a) a statement that the specified fruits originate in a field of production which has been subjected to treatments against Phyllosticta citricarpa carried out at the appropriate time since the beginning of the last cycle of vegetation; (b) a statement that an appropriate official inspection has been carried out in the field of production during the growing season, and no symptoms of Phyllosticta citricarpa have been detected in the specified fruit since the beginning of the last cycle of vegetation; (c) a statement that a sample has been taken along the line between arrival and packaging in the packing facilities of at least 600 fruits of each species per 30 tonnes, or part thereof, selected as much as possible on the basis of any possible symptom of Phyllosticta citricarpa, and all sampled fruits showing symptoms have been tested and found free of that harmful organism; (d) in the case of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck ‘Valencia’, in addition to the statements referred to in (a), (b) and (c): a statement that a sample per 30 tonnes, or part thereof, has been tested for latent infection and found free of Phyllosticta citricarpa.

Given that many interceptions at the border of EU have been on fruits of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck ‘Valencia’, those fruits should be subject to testing for latent infection in addition to the measures applying to all citrus fruits. Complete traceability of the specified fruits from their origin should be ensured. The field of production, packing facilities, operators participating in the handling of the specified fruits and detailed information on the pre- and post-harvest treatments should be subject to official registration and stated in official document, issued under the supervision of the NPPO.

Requirements laid down in Decision 2016/715/EU for citrus fruits originating in Brazil, South Africa and Uruguay are implemented as of 1 June 2016 and have replaced those in Decisions 2004/416 and 2014/422/EU.

Contact for Info

Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection [email protected]

Issue keywords

Emergency measures Import Regulatory System

Commodity keywords

Citrus fruit, fresh or dried

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Website

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en