A European Commission report has detailed a wide range of fruit and vegetables from numerous countries that were subjected to increased import checks during 2014. 

Almost 100,000 consignments subject to reinforced controls reached European borders last year, of which 11,291 were sampled for laboratory analysis. Authorities found 496 (4.4%) were in breach of EU legislation, and they were therefore prevented from entering the market.

Several delistings have come about as a result of compliance analysis and now return to routine checks.

These include pomeols and frozen strawberries from China, oranges from Egypt, and coriander and basil from Thailand.

Meanwhile, frequency of border control activities was adjusted for other produce including Brassica oleracea from China, and vine leaves from Turkey.

Broccoli coming in from China is now subject to 50% more checks, while for table grapes from Peru the increase is 10%.

The report goes on to say how a number of imports were included in the list as a result of quarterly reviews, and are now subject to tighter controls due to the 'possible presence' of pesticide residues.

Products included in this list are vine leaves from Turkey, table grapes from Peru, eggplants from Cambodia and dragon fruit from Vietnam.

This type of report it the fifth of its kind into the targeted controls on millions of tons of feed entering the EU and Norway during recent years and focuses on food and feed where 'known or emerging risk has been identified.'

In 2013, 4.1% of consignments sampled were in breach of EU legislation, slightly less than the 2014 results.

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