I. The New Worry for Foreign Traders: This "Little Snail" Is No Simple Matter

Recently, an inconspicuous "little snail" has sparked widespread attention in the foreign trade circle. It is the species blacklisted by China's customs for quarantine.Cochlicella barbara. Despite its delicate and adorable shell, it is an unwelcome "intruder" that causes headaches in international trade.

As a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in foreign trade, I must remind my peers: this little creature originating from the Mediterranean has already "stowed away" through international trade channels to over 40 countries and regions worldwide. In April 2021, China officially listed it asList of Quarantine Pests for Imported Plants, meaning it has become a key target for customs prevention.

II. The Destructive Power of "Foodies": Far More Harmful Than Imagined

This seemingly docile snail is actually a "foodie" and a "destroyer":

• Nightmare for vegetables and fruits: Young snails nibble on seedlings and buds, while adults feast on various green plants
• Threat to horticulture industry: Particularly fond of economic crops like vegetables and flowers, causing significant agricultural losses
• Urban environment nuisance: Prefers to "settle down" in courtyards and parks, damaging the ecological environment and landscape.
• Health hazard: May carry parasites, posing public health risks

Most troubling is its resistance to commonly usedmetaldehyde-based molluscicides. In California, farmers can only rely on manual collection as a primitive control method, demonstrating the difficulty of its management.

III. "Stowaway" Experts: Unexpected Transmission Pathways

As foreign trade professionals, we must understand the transmission methods of this "stowaway expert":

• Artificial introduction: Illegally imported as edible snails (reminder: China has explicitly prohibited this!)
• Cargo contamination: Spread via seedlings, flowers and their accompanying soil
• Packaging concealment: Hides in wooden packaging materials and container crevices
• Dormancy capability: Can enter dormant state by secreting mucus to evade inspection

Special reminder for those engaged inHorticultural productsandAgricultural productsEnterprises engaged in import and export should be especially cautious, as these goods are most likely to become its "free ride."

IV. Customs' "Keen Eyes and Sharp Sight": A Comprehensive Analysis of Quarantine Measures

Customs has established a comprehensive defense network against Cochlicella acuta, mainly including:

1. Source control

• Prohibition of any form of introduction and breeding
• Strengthening education and awareness for import and export enterprises

2. Port quarantine

• Focusing on inspecting goods and packaging from epidemic areas
• Conducting laboratory identification of suspicious snail specimens
• Soil carried by potted plants must undergo sieve inspection

3. Epidemic monitoring

• Establishing monitoring points in key areas such as ports and freight stations
• Conducting regular special investigations

V. Foreign Trade Enterprise Response Guide: Prevention is Better Than Cure

Based on years of experience, I recommend foreign trade enterprises take the following measures:

• Understand the distribution of epidemic areas: Familiarize with the geographical distribution of Cochlicella acuta (Europe, America, Oceania, etc.)
• Choose reliable suppliers: Ensure export goods do not carry soil or harmful organisms
• Standardize packaging treatment: Use quarantine-treated packaging materials
• Proactive declaration: Truthfully declare goods and cooperate with customs inspections
• Establish emergency response plans: Immediately implement isolation measures if issues are found

Remember, a small oversight may lead to the entire batch being returned or even destroyed, causing unnecessary economic losses.

VI. Conclusion: Jointly Safeguarding National Biosafety

In todays increasingly frequent global trade, biosecurity has become an important issue that cannot be ignored in the foreign trade industry. Cochlicella acuta is just one representative of many quarantine pests. As foreign trade practitioners, each of us should:

• Enhance biosecurity awareness
• Learn relevant quarantine knowledge
• Strictly comply with import and export regulations

Let us join hands with customs to jointly build a national biosecurity defense line, protecting both domestic agricultural production safety and the foreign trade interests of enterprises. After all, in this era of globalization,Compliant operation is the long-term path for foreign trade enterprises.