The US has banned the import of fresh bell peppers for consumption from Spain due to the detection of the Mediterranean fruit fly, or ‘Medfly’, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis) of the US Department of Agriculture has reported.
In a communication released on 29 December, Aphis indicated that it has taken this measure in response to the “multiple detections” of the Mediterranean fly in commercial shipments of fresh peppers from Spain that have taken place during inspections by the customs service.
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) is a hugely destructive agricultural pest, attacking more than 250 different kinds of fruits, flowers, vegetables and nuts.
It can be especially damaging to citrus/stone fruits, pome fruits, peppers, tomatoes and figs, with the potential to cause damage to 100% of the fruit when infestations are not controlled.
Sources from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) of the Government of Spain have informed EURACTIV’s partner, EFE Agro, that the United States authorities detected three live larvae of ceratitis capitata (fruit fly) in shipments of fresh bell pepper.
The MAPA has indicated that the sector dedicated to producing and exporting this product is informed of the situation.
“The medfly poses an unacceptable risk to the US due to its wide host range and ability to reproduce rapidly,” Aphis notes in its communication, calling the ban a “necessary” step to safeguard the US agricultural system.
This ban will remain in effect until an Aphis investigation determines that importing commercial shipments of fresh bell peppers from Spain does not pose a risk to US agriculture.
Spain is the “vegetable garden of Europe” and the sector remains competitive thanks to a combination of quality, innovation and meeting consumer demands, the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, told EURACTIV’s partner EFE agro.
The inspection service also points out that this order does not affect other species of peppers currently allowed to enter the United States from Spain, meaning the country can continue exporting other Capsicum species.
However, Aphis requires the phytosanitary certificate accompanying each consignment of fresh pepper for consumption from Spain to include the full botanical name (genus and species) of the pepper in the consignment.
The US is the world’s largest importer of fresh fruits and vegetables, exceeding the amount of 20 million tons and 26,000 million dollars (about €24,500 million) in 2020, according to data from the Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables of the Region of Murcia (Proexport).
In 2021 Spain exported 32,993 tons of fruit and vegetables to the US and for 10 years it has remained below 60,000 tons, according to the same source.
Source : Euaractiv
