NVWA: less discoveries harmful organisms on import inspections

The number of discoveries of harmful organisms upon import inspections in 2015 amounted to 159 (151 in consumptive material and 8 in propagation material). The number of discoveries has decreased in regards to the previous year. Over the years a fluctuation occurs which appears to move in a certain range, which in itself provides a stable image. At the same time, however, there is variety in the organisms, so there is no general trend, NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) reports in 'Phytosanitary Signals 2015'.

Phyllosticta citricarpa, cause of citrus black spot, is an organism that is kept out of the EU to prevent introduction to citrus cultivation in the southern member countries. The fungus is found upon import of particular fruits such as oranges and lemons form the countries South Africa, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Emergency measures are in place for Brazil and South Africa, and measures are being considered for Argentina and Uruguay. 

The situation surrounding citrus black spot in citrus fruits from South Africa has been difficult for years due to the many interceptions. Since July 2014 emergency measures apply to the import of citrus fruits from South Africa. In total the EU imported around 514,000 tons of citrus fruits from South Africa, nearly half of which via the Netherlands. Spain had no imports at all of South African citrus this year. In 2015 there were a total of 15 interceptions of P. citricarpa on citrus from South Africa, six of which in the Netherlands. These interceptions were comparatively lightly contaminated (just one or two lesions on one fruit in a sample of eight boxes). The FVO has concluded during her mission to South Africa that the control system there has strongly improved, but that there is still room for improvement. In 2013 South Africa lodged a complaint with the IPPC against the EU requirements for citrus black spot. It is not yet clear whether that complaint is upheld or not, so for the time being there will be no change in the requirements put to countries of origin. 

Since 2004 emergency measures have been in place for the import of citrus from Brazil. In response to the many notifications in 2011, the FVO carried out an audit in Brazil to assess the inspection and certification system for citrus exports to the EU. In 2015 a total of 100,000 tons of citrus was imported by EU member countries, more than half of which by the Netherlands. However, nearly all of this is Citrus latifolia (Tahiti Lime), of which it has been established that it is not a host plant for P. citricarpa. In total there have been 12 inspections on Brazilian oranges, four of which by the Netherlands.

In 2015 Uruguay exported over 35,000 tons of citrus to the EU, almost 24,000 tons of which went to the Netherlands. In the EU there were a total of 70 interceptions of P. citricarpa (66 of which were in the Netherlands) and two of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. (citrus canker). Phyllosticta had a high degree of contamination (various fruits with several lesions found per box). Uruguay certified ‘based on pest free place of production.’ In response to the discoveries, Uruguay stopped the export of specific production companies. Uruguay has made an assessment mandatory and companies are being re-registered. A fungicide treatment is also mandatory now. There will be extra examinations of packing centres and pre-export controls. Certification takes place based on ‘batch free of.’ Due to the high number of interceptions the European Commission is considering whether stronger measures are necessary for imports from Uruguay in 2016 or not. 

Argentina exported nearly 94,000 tons of citrus to the EU this year, over 52,000 tons of which went to the Netherlands. In total there were 17 interceptions of P. citricarpa and two of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri. The Netherlands had nine interceptions of P. citricarpa from Argentina in total. Due to the high number of notifications the European Commission is considering putting in place emergency measures for Argentina.

In order to prevent the introduction of Tuta absoluta export of tomatoes with green parts to the US has been prohibited. American authorities offered some extra room during the course of 2015 to be able to export tomatoes with green parts. Given the already stringent conditions set by the US, a relevant tightening is hardly conceivable, other than a (further) intensification of monitoring. This was proposed for a company that already met all of the other requirements and has a good track record. However, actual trade based on this proposition has not (yet) happened.

Due to the risk of the presence of the False codling moth (FCM) in Capsicum there has been an export protocol in place with the US for a number of years. With the establishment of the inspection requirement for Capsicum in October 2014, the risk of the presence of FCM in exports has declined sharply. However, during regular consultations on the export protocol, the US argues that it first has to be determined whether this effect indeed occurs before an actual lightening of the protocol would be discussed. An adjustment has been implemented by arranging two control periods (once at the beginning of registration, once somewhere in the course of the season) per cultivation location per season, as opposed to the continuous controls from before. This system functioned well in 2015.

The False codling moth is not regulated at this moment, but the Netherlands and other EU member countries still do not accept Capsicum shipments upon finding FCM. Other member countries also do not accept shipments of, for example, roses and citrus, in which FCM are also found with some regularity.