Europe has decided to set stricter phytosanitary controls for mangoes from third countries, in the face of the number of interceptions of harmful organisms reported in recent years. Spanish agricultural associations had already denounced the situation in Brussels, as they feared the import of pests into Spain and Portugal, the only mango producing countries within European territory.
The EU annually imports some 360,000 tons of mangoes from all over the world. The mangoes are the second product (behind peppers) with the most interceptions at the EU border. In fact, in 2017 (last year with statistics from the Commission) there were 178 detections of harmful organisms in mangoes from third countries. Of these, 149 were fruit fly detections, which are the ones that the EU really wants to keep under control.
From September 1, the new phytosanitary requirements regulation will come into force thanks to the Commission's Implementation Directive 2019/523, which modifies Council Directive 2000/29 / EC, published last March.
The European Commission has notified mango exporting countries to the EU of this new provision. Until now, it was required for the country, area or mango plot to be free of fruit fly and for hydrothermal treatments to be carried out. A new requirement has now been added, namely, that no signs of flies are to be observed at the production site and in its vicinity since the start of the last complete vegetation cycle, in official inspections carried out at least once a month during the three months prior to the harvest. Also, none of the fruits harvested at the production site must show signs of the organism following an official examination.
Although this is considered very good news, ASAJA continues asking the Commission for more measures to prevent the introduction of new pests in the EU, including
- Prior registration at origin of farms and operators.
- Phytosanitary audits at origin and inspections at the port of departure, funded by the exporting country.
- Creation of border inspection points (PIF) specialized in mangoes, especially at the ports receiving the most mangoes.
- Creation of a body of inspectors, with adequate training, and financed by the producing countries themselves.
In 2018, Malaga's production amounted to 36,000 tons, with a turnover of 30 million €; 16% more than in 2017. In any case, Spain increasingly imports more mangoes from third countries. In 2018, 53,500 tons were imported; 46% more than in 2014. Those imports had a total value of 85.27 million Euro (average: € 1.6 / kg).
Source: agroinformacion.com