Murcian citrus growers insist on better controls on imports from Argentina and South Africa

The professional agricultural organization ASAJA Murcia demands that the phytosanitary controls of lemons imported from Argentina and South Africa be intensified at the ports of entry to the European Union.

 

According to Alfonso Gálvez Caravaca, General Secretary of ASAJA Murcia, the European Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and the regional authorities are responsible for the safety of plant health throughout the territory of the European Union. The risk of non-EU citrus diseases and pests, in particular the threat of Black Spot, "should make us be on alert at all ports of entry to the European Union."

 

On the other hand, the secretary expressed his concern about the possible saturation of the citrus market due to the war in Ukraine.

 

In this sense, he commented that the war is complicating the supply of Russia and Ukraine, which could lead to supplies ending up in EU territory with the consequent saturation of the markets and the presence of citrus fruits at the beginning of the next Spanish season which will start in October, with a drop in prices at origin and more losses for producers.

 

ASAJA Murcia insists on the need to review the agreements on agriculture to adjust the European demand and supply of these fruits, limiting imports, by revising quotas and entry prices downwards and reinforcing the phytosanitary requirements, and applying immediate cold treatment requirement to imported citrus fruits.

 

 

 

source: laopiniondemurcia.es