AILIMPO requested this measure after alerting ten alarms in just two months
AILIMPO warned a week ago about the rejection at the community borders of 10 batches of Turkish lemons due to the presence of pesticides in quantities higher than the official EU limits. An unprecedented situation, and which confirmed the deficiencies of the official Turkish control system on the marketing and use of phytosanitary products. At the same time, AILIMPO requested the European Commission to adopt urgent measures.
The European Commission reacted quickly and published a regulation (Regulation 2021/1900) by which it is 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 of Every 5 trucks of Turkish lemons entering the EU will have to undergo strict border controls for pesticide testing. This measure will take effect on November 23.
The European Commission itself confirmed the seriousness of the situation with Turkey, and clearly confirmed that “in the case of shipments of lemons from Turkey, the data resulting from the notifications in the RASFF and the information regarding the official controls carried out by the 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. ”
Valuation of AILIMPO
The Spanish lemon and grapefruit interprofessional organization, AILIMPO, expressed its satisfaction with the speedy decision taken by the European Commission. It is undoubtedly an important decision to defend the interests of European consumers and to strengthen the position of the Spanish lemon produced under the highest guarantee standards.
.