WRITTEN QUESTION E-0688/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 March 2003)

Subject: Phytosanitary measures to detect Mexican fruit fly and Oriental fruit fly

Healthy quality of agricultural products is a precondition for viable trade, and the presence of pests and disease is one of the major limiting factors on the sector's productivity. Certain species of fruit fly represent a serious problem for farmers, both in terms of the direct damage they inflict and the quarantine measures they entail.

The Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens Loew), which attacks oranges, mandarins, grapefruit and the like, is a good example; it lays its eggs under the outer skin of ripe or nearly ripe fruit, and once the larvae hatch, they feed on the pulp, tunnelling through it and causing the fruit to fall to the ground, and encouraging the proliferation of bacterial and fungal infections.

The Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) deposits eggs in the tissue of the host fruit, where the larvae grow until fully developed, when they leave the fruit and bury themselves in the soil at a depth of 1 to 5 centimetres, followed by pupation and the emergence of the adult insect. B. dorsalis is propagated by flying adults, the wind and movements of infected host fruit by human agency. B. dorsalis's hosts include over 175 species. Over 100 types of fruit and vegetable are attacked by this pest, with some of the most common and popular hosts being Citrus spp., Prunus spp., apples, guavas, mangoes, bananas, coffee beans and papayas. Other hosts include Annona spp., pineapple, white sapote, star apples, figs, strawberries, passion fruit, avocados and others. B. dorsalis is one of the world's most destructive soft fruit pests.

Given the serious consequences should one of these pests enter the EU, does the Commission intend to step up phytosanitary measures on produce entering European ports, with a view to detecting Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) and Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) in citrus products from the USA, particularly California, so as to prevent them entering the EU and devastating Spanish citrus fruit production?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of developments as regards the two non-European fruit flies Anastrepha ludens (Loew) and Bactrocera (Dacus) dorsalis Hendel in the United States, in particular in certain citrus producing areas in California.

In order to prevent the introduction into the Community of any non-European fruit fly, including the two above-mentioned harmful organisms, the Community plant health regime lays down provisions by virtue of Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community(1). The above-mentioned Directive defines procedures for imports, involving both the country of origin and the Member States in taking appropriate measures.

From information received from Member States covering at least the last seven years, it appears that no interception of any fruit fly, including Anastrepha ludens and Bactrocera (Dacus) dorsalis, has been reported on citrus fruits originating in the United States. Therefore, the Commission considers that the current provisions for import of citrus fruits originating in the United States are adequate and need not be modified at this stage.

(1) OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2003/22/EC of 24 March 2003, OJ L 78, 25.3.2003.