Citrus farmers in the Region of Murcia have been fighting a new “very aggressive” thrips pest for a few months now that has already devastated a significant part of the lemon harvest since the end of last year. This small insect (Scirtothrips dorsalis) appeared in the Community at the end of 2023 and has spread rapidly. Its treatment with phytosanitary products is complex because it affects other species that help biological control in plantations naturally. However, organizations such as COAG Murcia and the interprofessional Ailimpo requested in March from the Ministry of Agriculture, through the regional government, exceptional authorization to use an effective product for these pests.
The answer has been negative. Minister Luis Planas' department denied the request a few weeks ago. The resolution does not include a justification, but sources consulted point out that the reason is because the maximum residue limit, the maximum concentration allowed in a food, is more limited than other products that could be used. However, the agricultural coordinator denounces that the same pesticide requested for Murcia, composed with a 'spinosad' base, has been authorized for citrus fruits in the Valencian Community and Andalusia.
The authorization was requested due to “the lack of chemical control alternatives for this species of thrips that, during the final part of 2023, made an appearance abruptly and very harmful to our citrus trees,” according to the Plant Health service of the Community in its latest report on the state of crops and pests in the Region. The negative resolution causes, in the case of the lemon tree, a “clear disadvantage in terms of controlling this new, very aggressive species of thrips, which we must remember is also quarantine,” which increases the risk of damage. COAG warns that oranges and grapefruits are also being affected.
Lemons affected in the Region by the new thrips plague.
COAG
«There is no technical criterion»
COAG explains that the effects of Scirtothrips, as well as other species of thrips that they were going to combat with the requested treatment, causes a series of spots on the rind of the lemons that cause their rejection in the market. The vice president of Coag Murcia and national responsible for citrus in the organization, Pedro Gomariz, has demanded that the Ministry reconsider, since this insect “is affecting the entire Region” months after appearing for the first time and has already “stained many crops.” ».
The Ministry of Agriculture considers that there is “arbitrariness” when granting exceptional authorizations by the Ministry, since other communities have received approval: “There is no technical or administrative criterion” in this rejection, consulted sources point out. . The product for which the Ministry's approval is needed would, for lemon trees, have a high pesticide residue limit, which would allow treatment, the Ministry defends.
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