Press Release: Pascal Lamy welcomes US rule lifting the ban on Spanish Clementines

The United States lifted its ban on Spanish clementines on 16 October 2002. The ban had been in place since 5 December 2001 following reports that live Mediterranean fruit fly larvae had been found in Spanish clementines exported to the US. The USDA, the European Commission together with the Spanish authorities have been working closely to ensure that steps are taken to reopen the market for the 2002-2003 season.