Major changes in import requirements for vegetables

On July 1, 2023, the new temporary implementing regulation (EU) 2023/1134 comes into force to prevent the introduction and spread of Spodoptera frugiperda in the EU. Spodoptera frugiperda, called 'fall armyworm' in English, is a moth from the owl family. The caterpillar is an important pest of several vegetable and cereal crops and is present in large parts of the world.

The new regulation replaces the current (EU) 2018/638 and is necessary because the species continues to spread. Meanwhile, the species is also present in Cyprus, the Canary Islands and in Turkey (source: EPPO global database).

The new requirements for importing vegetables are described in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1134. The regulation takes effect July 1, 2023, and applies to a limited number of vegetable species. For these species, a new caption must appear on the phytosanitary certificate upon importation. This applies to certificates with issue dates starting July 1, 2023.

What will change?

• New entry on the certificate
• Reference to the new implementing regulation (EU) 2023/1134
• Green asparagus certification and inspection mandatory from September 1, 2023
• Traceability information no longer required to be listed on the certificate.

The requirements apply to imports of the following products from third countries (except Switzerland):

Fruits of:

• Capsicum spp. (bell pepper/pepper)
• Momordica spp. (bitter melon)
• Solanum aethiopicum ('Christmas eggplant', ornamental fruit)
• Solanum macrocarpon ('African eggplant')
• Solanum melongena (eggplant)

Plants and parts of the plant such as leaf, stem and cobs (fresh, excluding tissue culture, live pollen and seeds) of:

• Zea mays (corn)

Plants and plant parts (excluding tissue culture, live pollen and seeds) of:

• Asparagus officinalis (green asparagus)

The current regulation (EU) 2018/638 is still valid until June 30, 2023. The new regulation (EU) 2023/1134 expires on December 31, 2025.

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