According to Benjamín Faulí, head of the Fruit and Vegetables section, the risk has increased with the presence of a new type of fly, unknown in the EU, but common in Kenya and South Africa. Faulí explains that South Africa banned Kenyan avocados in 2010 due to the presence of the Bactrocera invadens fly in Kenya; and mangoes, which are also exported to Europe, are an even bigger target for the insect.
But things are getting worse because the pest is already present in South Africa. It was first detected in 2010 and 2011, and in 2012 it reappeared in Limpopo, in the north of the country.
The problem is that the banks of the River Limpopo is where 50% of South Africa's avocados and 75% of mangoes are produced. The country's Ministry of Agriculture warns that failure to eradicate it could lead to commercial restrictions and phytosanitary measures applied to both the domestic and international markets, or the temporary loss of export markets, as the pest is highly invasive.
Risk increases in the summer
"South Africa exported around 50,000 tonnes of avocados to the EU last season. Its export campaign begins now and lasts until October. And the risk increases, as the summer will bring the optimal conditions for the fly's adaptation," explains Faulí. "For their part, South African mango exports to the EU begin in January and finish in March, although they only account for 9% of all exports."
The pest has expanded in Africa and has been detected in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Zambia, as well as in northern parts of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana. Kenya complained about South Africa's ban not being lifted despite the implementation of pest control programs, and it fears that the EU, where 12,000 tonnes of avocados are exported every year, may adopt similar measures.
But things are getting worse because the pest is already present in South Africa. It was first detected in 2010 and 2011, and in 2012 it reappeared in Limpopo, in the north of the country.
The problem is that the banks of the River Limpopo is where 50% of South Africa's avocados and 75% of mangoes are produced. The country's Ministry of Agriculture warns that failure to eradicate it could lead to commercial restrictions and phytosanitary measures applied to both the domestic and international markets, or the temporary loss of export markets, as the pest is highly invasive.
Risk increases in the summer
"South Africa exported around 50,000 tonnes of avocados to the EU last season. Its export campaign begins now and lasts until October. And the risk increases, as the summer will bring the optimal conditions for the fly's adaptation," explains Faulí. "For their part, South African mango exports to the EU begin in January and finish in March, although they only account for 9% of all exports."
In the EU, non-European Tephritidae, such as the Bactrocera dorsalis, are considered parasites whose introduction and propagation are prohibited.
The EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation), explains that, besides citrus, the EU's requirement for most fruits is a simple visual inspection. Detection through visual inspection is hard, as inspectors would have to look for oviposition holes. A proper examination, aimed at looking for larvae, would be needed and this is a very difficult task. "Fruit flies can easily go unnoticed, even if the fruit is sliced," states Asaja Málaga's representative.
Due to all of this, Asaja Málaga demands better control procedures from the Commission, because there are clear data on the growing risk. Detections of the fly increased from 462 in 2011 to 682 in 2012. During the first quarter of 2013, this figure is already up to 89, and this kind of flies are already present in another 22 African countries, causing the loss of 30 to 70% of their mango harvest.
Source: Asaja Malaga
Due to all of this, Asaja Málaga demands better control procedures from the Commission, because there are clear data on the growing risk. Detections of the fly increased from 462 in 2011 to 682 in 2012. During the first quarter of 2013, this figure is already up to 89, and this kind of flies are already present in another 22 African countries, causing the loss of 30 to 70% of their mango harvest.
Source: Asaja Malaga