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The President of the Veterinary Order, Ervin Resuli, denounced that mandarins originating from Albania have been found to contain residues of pesticides prohibited in the countries of the European Union.
It is about the pesticides "Chlorpyrifos" and "Phosmet" that, according to Resul, have been found in at least 3 shipments in Croatia and are dangerous for human health due to long-term damage.
Damages according to Resuli start from the nervous system to cancer.
He accuses the Ministry of Agriculture through a post on social networks of a lack of transparency and control and that it has not given any answer as to whether these tangerines were consumed in Albania and whether they were disposed of according to the law.
During the period 29 November - 11 December 2024, the European food safety system RASFF has reported three cases of contamination with residues of Chlorpyrifos and Phosmet pesticides in mandarin cargoes originating from Albania. These substances are dangerous to human health and prohibited in European Union due to their long-term damage Details from RASFF reports:
1. November 29, 2024 – Chlorpyrifos in tangerines. The shipment was discovered in Croatia.
2. December 11, 2024 – Phosmet in tangerines. The cargo has been identified in Croatia.
3. December 11, 2024 – Chlorpyrifos in tangerines. The shipment was reported from Croatia with further stops in Italy and the Czech Republic ," he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture has now reacted. She admits that 3 loads have been blocked.
The reaction of the ministry:
In the framework of transparency for the public, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development informs the local consumer that the National Food Authority immediately after receiving the notification from the Rapid Notification System for Food and Animal Feed - RASFF has started verifications and tracking through the Regional Directorates for the identification and taking action on returned mandarin product export shipments.
Specifically, it is about three loads of clementine mandarins, exported by food collecting entities located in Berat and Fier. Two of the cargoes have arrived at the country of origin.
One of these cargoes was sent by AKU - Border Inspection Point, to the exporting entity and the cargo was disposed of by farmers with address Gorican Village, Dimal Municipality, Berat District and Mursi Village, Konispol Municipality, Vlorë District. After tracking and receiving the accompanying information, we clarify that the laboratory analysis with No. 24112916.001, on 14.11.2024 for the purpose of self-control by the exporting entity, it was carried out in a laboratory in Bari, Italy. According to the test report, the product was compliant with regard to the level of pesticide residues.
The other load is currently blocked in the collecting entity located in Fier County and the product disposal procedure will be carried out by this Food Business Operator in cooperation with the Regional Tax Directorates, the National Food Authority and the National Environment Authority. This shipment was not accompanied by a laboratory report, as it is not a legal obligation for the exporting entities, which carry out this process within the control itself.
The third shipment notified with residues above the norm of Plant Protection Products has not yet arrived in the Republic of Albania. Nor was this shipment accompanied by an analysis sheet.
Regarding the first shipment mentioned above, we inform you that the National Food Authority has immediately taken measures for administrative offenses in the relevant entity located in Berat by fining and blocking the activity of the entity for non-implementation of the legislation in force. In cooperation with the National Veterinary and Plant Protection Authority, measures are being taken for farmers who have used plant protection products banned in the Republic of Albania.
Pursuant to the Decision of the Council of Ministers 335, dated 6.6.2018 "On the approval of the rules for the registration, procedure and evaluation criteria of plant protection products", the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development updates the lists of permitted products according to the recommendations of European Union Regulations. This case, which is contrary to the legal provisions in force, will be referred to the Law Enforcement Institutions.
The General Directorate of the National Food Authority has taken immediate measures by setting up working groups for the analysis, assessment of the situation on the coordination for the follow-up of procedural actions in each link of the implementation of the official control of the case.
Food safety is a common challenge, we take the opportunity to draw the attention of every Albanian farmer and producer to fulfill their legal obligations, as well as to respect good work practices throughout the production chain on the farm by using only permitted products, under the supervision of professionals and respecting the grace period, to guarantee safe domestic production for the Albanian consumer and international markets.
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