Health safeguards in the citrus fruit sector

27.3.2018

Question for written answer E-001825-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Michela Giuffrida (S&D)

The European farmers represented in Copa-Cogeca, along with national representatives at bilateral level, are together working out a joint strategy to protect citrus growing from infestation with diseases and pests that cause destruction in Europe, for example citrus greening, the false codling moth, and, especially, citrus black spot.

European citrus fruit production in 2016-2017, which amounted to 11 million tonnes, rose by 3.3% compared with the previous year, but the individual figures were very uneven. To take the single example of oranges, 80% of which are produced by Spain and Italy, the Spanish crop increased by 17.6% , whereas Italy’s fell by 38%, from almost 2 million to 1.2 million tonnes in 2016-2017.

This is due to weather conditions, excessively high consumer prices, the failure to capitalise on processed citrus fruit products, and, finally, health problems such as the citrus tristeza virus, particularly in Sicily.

In the light of the foregoing, will the Commission consider taking stringent new measures, extending even, in certain cases, to blocking imports or making cold treatment mandatory for all non-EU countries which export to Europe?

How does it intend to step up checks and strengthen health standards to protect the sector?