Walnuts grown and shelled in the Dordogne and adjacent regions of France are exported to Britain and other countries. The inspection of cargoes arriving at Liverpool between July 1955 and July 1958 has shown that they may frequently be infested by a number of species of insect pests. Of the 20 species recorded, six occurred regularly. These were Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Aphomia gularis (Zell.), Plodia interpunctella (Hb.), Cryptophagus subfumatus Kraatz, Nemapogon granella (L.) and Enarmonia sp. During that period, changes occurred in the levels of infestation on parcels and the relative abundance of the species. In particular, there was a considerable increase in the occurrence of O. surinamensis. Though the general levels of infestation were light, parts of 58 per cent, of the cargoes had to be fumigated to prevent pests being distributed to factories, bakeries and shops in Britain and on transhipped parcels to Canada, U.S.A. and the Eepublic of Ireland. Though many of the species found are already established in those countries where conditions are suitable for their development some are still limited in their distribution. These include A. gularis, a serious pest of nuts, dried fruit and cereals. If the further spread of this and the other pests is to be prevented there is need for a more general application of control measures in the country of origin with strict control and possibly fumigation of cargoes before shipment.