Uzbekistan has discovered mandarins with fake phytosanitary certificates and quarantine pests.

A shipment of mandarins from Pakistan, imported through the "Airitom" customs post, was found to contain dangerous pests — red pomeranz scale insects. These pests have the potential to devastate entire citrus and other fruit orchards.

The phytosanitary certificates accompanying the cargo were counterfeit. It was revealed that in December, no phytosanitary certificates were issued for the export of mandarins to Uzbekistan, and those that accompanied the shipment were forged.

To prevent such incidents in the future, Uzbek authorities have tightened control over the import of agricultural products. From now on, all phytosanitary certificates will be thoroughly verified using the electronic system E-Fitouz.

Currently, the issuance of import quarantine permits for mandarins from Pakistan has been temporarily suspended.