Chile carries out simultaneous road checks over fruit fly risk

Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) carried out simultaneous road inspections in the Metropolitan, Valparaíso and O’Higgins regions as part of efforts to reduce the spread of fruit fly.

The operation included checks on vehicles and cargo moving through interregional routes. In the Metropolitan Region, inspections took place on Route 5 North, in the Lampa road police area. The work involved SAG officials, the Internal Revenue Service (SII) and Carabineros.

Across the three control points, more than 145 cargo trucks were inspected. Most of the loads were of Brazilian, Chilean and Argentine origin. Authorities also checked more than 20 passenger buses and provided information to travellers about fruit fly risks.

Inspectors took samples from products including citrus fruit, avocados, apples and guavas. The controls focused on documentation, phytosanitary status and product traceability.

Regional routes

The inspections come as Chile works on fruit fly campaigns from Arica and Parinacota to the Metropolitan Region. According to SAG, road controls will be used more frequently on central-zone routes, especially where produce moves between regions.

Pest risk

The movement of fruit or vegetables carrying the pest can create new outbreaks and increase pressure on eradication campaigns. SAG said it has detected more movement of plant products linked to phytosanitary risk, including goods that may have entered the country illegally.

Outbreak status

Chile has been recognized as free of Mediterranean fruit fly since 1995. However, SAG reported 50 active outbreaks between Arica and Parinacota and the Metropolitan Region.

Seizures

The agency said it conducts more than 1,300 inspections a year and seizes around 500 tonnes of products. In 2023, it retained more than 1 million kilos of agricultural goods that had entered Chile illegally, almost double the amount recorded in 2022.

source and photo: sag.gob.cl