Andalusia declares the quarantine pest Aphis citricidus in citrus fruits

The Territorial Delegation of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in Málaga has published an announcement, dated August 26, 2026, notifying the Resolution of September 1, 2025, from the General Directorate of Agricultural and Livestock Production. In it, the existence of the quarantine pest Aphis citricidus in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia is officially declared, demarcated zones are established, and the phytosanitary measures to be adopted are set.

The notification appears in the Official Gazette of the Government of Andalusia (BOJA) number 168, corresponding to Monday, August 31, 2026, within section 5.2 “Other official announcements” of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. The announcement, identified as text no. 11340, occupies one page.

A quarantine pest for the citrus sector

Aphis citricidus is an aphid considered a quarantine pest, meaning an organism whose presence requires the adoption of mandatory control measures to prevent its spread. Since it directly affects citrus fruits, its detection has a direct impact on Andalusian citrus growers and agricultural producers, one of the strategic sectors of regional agriculture.

The notified resolution, adopted by the General Directorate of Agricultural and Livestock Production, establishes the framework for action to contain the pest in the Andalusian territory. The publication in the official gazette aims to publicize the declaration and the obligations deriving from it for the affected operators.

Demarcated zones and phytosanitary measures

According to the notification, the resolution delimits the demarcated zones in which mandatory phytosanitary measures are applied. These measures seek to eradicate or contain the pest and prevent its extension to other producing areas.

Among the obligations deriving from the official declaration of the pest are included, in general:

• The surveillance and monitoring of citrus farms located in the demarcated zones.
• The application of authorized phytosanitary treatments against Aphis citricidus.
• The reporting of any suspicion or detection of the organism to the official plant health services.
• Compliance with mobility restrictions for plant material susceptible to carrying the pest.

A warning for Andalusian producers

The notification, processed by the Territorial Delegation in Málaga, is intended to make the resolution known to interested parties, so that affected citrus growers and operators can become aware of their obligations and adopt the required measures on their farms. The declaration of a quarantine pest implies a reinforced control regime that affects the production, marketing, and movement of citrus fruits in the community.

For the Andalusian citrus sector, the entry into force of these measures represents a reinforcement of phytosanitary surveillance and the need to certify compliance with the established treatments and controls. Publication in the BOJA guarantees the publicity and legal certainty of the resolution, so that producers can know exactly the scope of the obligations that correspond to them in the demarcated areas.

Source: Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA), number 168, August 31, 2026, section 5.2 “Other official announcements,” page 4 (official reference: text no. 11340).