The European Commission (EC) has increased the specific phytosanitary requirements to import Momordica charantia L. (bitter melon) fruits from Honduras, Mexico, and Thailand into the European Union (EU) to prevent the entry of the Thrips palmi Karny insect pest into the EU territory.
Regulation 2022/853 states that consignments of this fruit must come from 'a pest-free area, a production site with full physical protection or a production site that has taken measures in relation to the production, handling, and inspection of the fruits,' and was added to the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on Wednesday.
According to the regulations, the scientific opinions issued in December by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) endorsed raising these phytosanitary requirements for shipments of bitter melon from Mexico, Honduras, and Thailand, but not for shipments from Sri Lanka, as the measures taken by this country are deemed adequate.
Source: efeagro.com