Discovery of pest ‘false codling moth’ on fruit from Morocco

Subject: Discovery of pest ‘false codling moth’ on fruit from Morocco

In November 2023, the Commission confirmed a first discovery of the pest ‘false codling moth’ (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) in a shipment of pomegranates from Morocco, a third country that has, until now, been considered an area free of this quarantine pest.

The false codling moth has a devastating effect on dozens of crops and tree species. Its entry into and spread across the EU would lead to an average decrease of 26% of citrus fruit production. It also causes serious damage to other types of production, such as stone fruit, apple, pear, avocado, vine, olive tree, persimmon, pomegranate, pepper, tomato and aubergine, as well as rose and oak.

Given Morocco’s high volume of fruit and vegetable exports to the EU, especially via Spain, there is a high risk that this pest will implant itself and spread to all types of production that are susceptible to it.

1. What measures is the Moroccan Government taking to tackle this pest?

2. In view of this first discovery, what measures will the Commission take?

3. Has the Commission planned to carry out field inspections to clarify and/or determine the presence of this pest in Morocco and prevent further cases like this?

Submitted:18.12.2023

Joint answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission (23 February 2024)

The Commission communicated with Morocco, expressing its concerns about the non-compliance of a consignment of pomegranates due to the presence of Thaumatotibia leucotreta.

1 ∙ ⸱ https://castellonaldia.elmundo.es/economia/alarma-extrema-tras-detectar-europa-la-plaga-de-la-falsa-polilla-en-un-cargamento-de-granadas-marroquies-

IH17893685 2 ∙ ⸱

https://agronoma.sevilla.abc.es/noticias/agricultura/la-letal-plaga-mas-cerca-detectan-la-falsa-polilla-en-un-cargamento-de-fruta-procedente-de-marruecos/




| | )The Commission requested Morocco to investigate the non-compliance, provide a report on the outcome of its investigations, any corrective actions taken or planned to prevent a recurrence, relevant surveys or other activities, and an official communication by Morocco on the status of the pest in the country.

Morocco informed that Thaumatobia leucotreta is a regulated quarantine pest in Morocco, that it carried out investigations, both of which did not reveal the presence of the pest and confirmed the absence of the pest in its territory.

Given the absence of any additional non-compliances, the Commission requested Member States to remain vigilant in their import controls of relevant host commodities originating from Morocco.

The Commission together with the Member States will follow closely the implementation by Morocco of the relevant EU import requirements for Thaumatotibia leucotreta.

The decision on the pest status in an area is the exclusive competence of the respective National Plant Protection Organisation, as laid down by the relevant international standards of the International Plant Protection Convention.