EU to tighten controls on citrus imports from Turkey

Following the discovery of the presence of pesticides in quantities above the official EU limits on consignments of Turkish lemons and citrus fruits, the European Commission has decided to increase the frequency of checks on Turkish citrus fruits.

 

The European Commission has published a regulation (Regulation 2021/1900) by which it was decided to increase to 20% the frequency of identity checks and physical checks to be carried out on lemons, oranges, tangerines, clementines and similar hybrids citrus fruits from Turkey.

 

Previously only random checks were carried out without a minimum percentage. With this new regulation, 1 truck out of 5 Turkish citrus trucks entering the EU will have to undergo strict border checks for pesticide testing. This measure will come into force on November 23, 2021.

 

AILIMPO, the Spanish interprofessional organization of lemon and grapefruit, which is at the origin of the alert addressed to the European Commission concerning batches of Turkish lemons, expressed its satisfaction. This swift decision taken in the interest of European consumers could strengthen the position of Spanish lemon which is produced to the highest standards.

 

This 2021/1900 regulation has a wider scope and also concerns the strengthening of controls for other products such as peanuts from Brazil, chili peppers from Uganda and okra from India.

 

Consult the 2021/1900 regulation with details of the products concerned and the frequency of checks HERE