Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-003001/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Carmen Crespo Díaz (PPE)
The cold treatment applied to certain citrus fruit imports from third countries is an essential tool that prevents pests from entering the Union and threatening EU production. However, this mandatory procedure currently only applies to products such as oranges and not to equally vulnerable citrus fruits such as mandarins and grapefruits. Excluding these fruits is a source of concern for EU producers, who warn that the practice could lead to phytosanitary risks and unfair competition, especially in production regions such as southern and eastern Spain. In recent months, over 70 % of interceptions of pests in imported citrus fruit from third countries was connected to mandarins and grapefruits.
In light of these concerns:
- 1.Will the Commission reinforce and extend the mandatory cold treatment procedure to all citrus fruit imports – including mandarins and grapefruits – to ensure effective phytosanitary protection?
- 2.What control and monitoring mechanisms is the Commission applying to ensure that cold treatments are done on the product and not simply in the container?
Submitted: 18.7.2025