SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 15th April. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Plant Health Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands has confiscated 1,546 kilograms of watermelons from Costa Rica that were illegally brought into the islands, as current regulations prohibit the import of these fruits from outside Spain.
During the inspection, the department’s technical team identified two shipments of watermelons from different sources in Mercatenerife. The first batch comprising of three pallets with 86 boxes, totaling around 1,546 kilograms from Costa Rica, whereas the second batch, weighing 470 kilograms, originated from Almería, although the labeling failed to specify the exact source of the product.
Due to uncertainties regarding the origin and traceability, the marketing company was asked for invoices for both shipments. It was revealed that the company had purchased a total of 8,500 kilograms of this fruit, of which only 2,016 kilograms could be traced. This suggests that the remaining production had already been sold or distributed.
Following the inspection, the entire production was confiscated, and reports were prepared for the Costa Rican fruit in the first batch and for the lack of clarity regarding the origin and traceability of the second batch.
As a consequence of the non-compliance, the company has been reported under the Plant Health Law 43/2002, dated 20th November, and the Order of 12th March 1987, which outlines the phytosanitary regulations specific to the Canary Islands concerning the import, export, and transit of plants and plant products. Such violations could result in a severe penalty, with fines ranging from 3,001 to 120,000 euros.
