SPAIN

Capital: Madrid
Population:  40,077,000
Official Language(s): Spanish
Currency Unit: Euro

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLS)

Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

    A. Chemical residue standards:

      As a member of the European Union (EU), Spain applies Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) as established by the EU as well as setting its own standards for chemicals not registered by the EU.

    B. Monitoring chemical residues:

      Spain monitors for residues on imported fruit in accordance with EU regulations (EC directive 95/38/EC).

    C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

      The EU permits the use of white beeswax, yellow beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax and shellac on apples and pears (EC directive 95/2/EC).

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

No information.

IV. TARIFFS

    As a member of the European Union (EU), Spain imposes the EU's tariff schedule and entry price system on apple, pear and cherry imports. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

    A. Labeling requirements:

      European Union (EU) labeling requirements apply. Please refer to labeling requirements in the EU chapter. Required information should appear in Spanish.

    B. Licenses and quotas:

      EU licensing/quota regulations, if any, apply. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information. The Spanish Ministry of Economy requires an import document called "Prior Notification of Importation" which can be issued in about 5 days.

    C. Currency Issues:

      None.

    D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

      Please refer to the EU chapter for specific restrictions which apply to all EU member countries.

E.  Other trade restrictions:

Please refer to the EU chapter for information on solid wood packing material regulations.

VI. SUBSIDIES

Spanish apples benefit from European Union (EU) export subsidies when sold in certain non-EU countries.  Apples and pears receive EU market promotion assistance to increase fruit consumption in Spain.  

There are also EU subsidies to uproot apples and pear trees.  Most trees are replaced by new varieties and others with higher yields.  Between 2006 and 2011, twelve thousand hectares will be eligible for this orchard rejuvenation program.  As much as 15 percent of the removal and replanting costs will be subsidized (10,000 to 11,000 Euro per hectare).

VII.  OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental: 

VIII. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Special thanks to
FAS Field Office - Spain

105 South 18th Street, Suite 105
Yakima, Washington 98901, USA
Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615

E-mail general@nwhort.org