Despite rumors circulating recently that Brazilian citrus imports to the European Union may soon be blocked due to phytosanitary concerns, it appears the South American country has sorted out the issue for the time being. 

Various media outlets have been reporting that the European Commission (EC) was considering suspending trade with Brazil after there were eight detections of limes infected with citrus canker disease.

The fruit was entering the U.K., having been shipped from the Brazilian port of Santos.

However, in a written statement sent to www.freshfruitportal.com, an EC representative said no new interceptions had been made for 'a few weeks'.

"So far this season, there have been 8 interceptions of Brazilian citrus fruit consignments at EU import control because of citrus canker," said Enrico Brivio, spokesperson for Health, Food Safety, Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

"We have shared our concerns with our Brazilian interlocutors in July and asked them (by letter and during a video conference) to investigate these cases and take corrective actions.

"There have been no new interceptions since a few weeks now."

Meanwhile, a representative of Itacitrus, one of Brazil's leading exporters, said although fruit had been intercepted earlier in the season, everything had now returned to normal.

"On a Friday around a month ago we had some problems with a container which had fruit with citrus canker," Silmara Pasiani said.

Pasiani said Brazilian authorities had opted to suspend citrus exports for the rest of the week, and that the following Monday normal trade was resumed.

"The situation is now normal. Work is being carried out in farms to eliminate this problem," she said.

European officials are reported to be set to visit Brazil in October in order to reevaluate the phytosanitary protocols.

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