Two containers containing Argentine lemons infested with a dangerous parasite, the so-called black spot of citrus fruits, are blocked at the port of Catania
Two containers containing Argentine lemons infested with a dangerous parasite, the so-called black spot of citrus fruits (Phyllostictacitricarpa), are blocked at the port of Catania.
The announcement was made by the Department of Agriculture of the Sicily region. The operations carried out by the Department of Phytosanitary Service made it possible to intercept and reject this morning 2 containers of lemons, coming from Argentina, but unfortunately affected by the parasite. The two containers were blocked and seized at the port of Catania.
"We are continuing at a fast pace and in a widespread manner, without letting our guard down, the activities of control, traceability and counterfeiting of agri-food products in import / export in Sicily, to protect local quality products and the health of consumers" he said. the Regional Councilor for Agriculture Edy Bandiera. “We ran the risk of importing a dangerous parasite which, if it had established itself in our territory, it would have caused incalculable damage to the Sicilian economya and to the image of our quality citrus growing, appreciated all over the world ".
The mushroom black spot it is very dangerous for citrus fruits, at the root of a disease that causes a serious qualitative and quantitative deterioration of the fruit. It occurs in the form of dark spots on the peel of the fruit (from which it takes its name) and from lesions of a few millimeters, slightly hollowed and blotchy. Citrus fruits affected by the fun go are not marketable on the fresh market.
It may happen that at the time of harvest the fruits do not show any signs and that the disease manifests itself during transport or storage.
"The consignment of lemons was rejected and returned to the sender, as required by the regulations in force on the matter", states Bandiera.
A problem we have known for some time. Also last year a large batch of oranges arrived in Europe from Tunisia, about 162 thousand km, imported from Tunisia and infested with black spot.
'Black spot' mushroom in Tunisian oranges: it is alarming throughout Europe
Discovered for the first time in Australia about a century ago, the disease caused by the fungus then hit New Zealand and Asian countries, reaching as far as Africa, Argentina and Brazil but in Europe it never spread, at least until Now.
Absurd that they arrived in the region which is the queen of citrus fruits ...
Sources of reference: Sicily Region Agriculture Department
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