EU Increases Pesticide Controls on Turkish Lemons to 20%.

EU INCREASES PESTICIDE CONTROLS ON TURKISH LEMONS TO 20%.

AILIMPO HAD REQUESTED THIS MEASURE AFTER WARNING OF 10 ALERTS IN JUST TWO MONTHS.

AILIMPO satisfied with the rapid decision taken by the European Commission

Murcia, 5 November 2021

AILIMPO recently alerted about the rejection at EU borders of 10 batches of Turkish lemons due to the presence of pesticides in quantities exceeding the official EU limits. An unprecedented situation, which confirmed the deficiencies of the Turkish official control system on the marketing and use of plant protection products. At the same time, AILIMPO asked the European Commission to take urgent measures.

The European Commission has reacted quickly and has published a regulation (Regulation 2021/1900) by which it has been decided to increase the official control of Turkish lemons to 20% (previously only random controls were carried out without a minimum percentage), so that 1 out of every 5 lorries of Turkish lemons entering the EU will have to be subject to strict border controls for pesticide analysis. This measure will enter into force on 23 November.

The European Commission itself has confirmed the seriousness of the situation with Turkey, and clearly confirms that “in the case of consignments of lemons from Turkey, data resulting from notifications in the RASFF and information on official controls carried out by Member States indicate the emergence of new risks to human health, due to possible contamination by pesticide residues, which require a higher level of official controls”.

AILIMPO’s assessment

The Spanish interprofessional organisation for lemon and grapefruit, AILIMPO, has expressed its satisfaction with the rapid decision taken by the European Commission. This is undoubtedly an important decision to defend the interests of European consumers and to strengthen the position of Spanish lemons produced under the highest standards of guarantee.