Economic impact of the increase in consignments of unregulated Turkish citrus fruits

Question for written answer  E-000729/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D), Clara Aguilera (S&D)

Thanks to the Commission’s rapid alert system for food and feed (RASFF), in January 2021 an increase was spotted in the number of citrus-fruit consignments (lemons, oranges and mandarins) from third countries, especially Turkey, that were being rejected because they exceeded the limit values for traces of plant-health products and pesticides that are illegal under EU law.

In addition to the risks to health and the environment, this also has a significant impact on Spain’s citrus industry, and for the production of lemons and pomelos in the region of Murcia, given the unfair competition resulting from the situation.

We are concerned about the serious problems occurring in the management of Turkish exports. We are also keen to see European producers’ competitiveness boosted by a ban on imports of products that fail to meet the standards established in EU law. With that in mind:

• 1.There has been a massive increase in imports into the EU of citrus fruits that do not meet the minimum requirements. Has the Commission estimated the economic impact that this can have?
• 2.What steps does the Commission intend to take to make the industry competitive again in the face of imports from third countries that fail to comply with EU legislation?
• 3.Does the Commission plan to take steps to temporarily suspend citrus-fruit imports from Turkey?