Reports of a ban of exports of fresh citrus fruit to the European Union due to citrus black spot
01 Dec 2013
Citrus Black Spot (CBS) is caused by the fungus Guignardia (Phyllosticta) citricarpa and results in superficial blemishes on fruit affecting the cosmetic appeal of the fruit.
Within the global trade environment, the introduction and spread of plant pests are managed through the application of phytosanitary measures provided that such measures are scientifically justifiable.
In 1992 the European Economic Community and in 2000 the European Union (EU) implemented phytosanitary measures to prevent the entry of CBS infected fruit into their territory. The relevant EU import control measures were strengthened in 2012 when the European Commission (EC) announced an intention to institute a five-interception cut-off point for CBS on fruit from SA during the 2013 season. The EU indicated that it would consider instituting stricter import measures which may include a ban of citrus fruit from South Africa once that threshold was reached.
Considering the importance of the EU market for SA citrus, the department, with key industry partners have strengthened the CBS-risk management system (RMS) which aims to limit the occurrence of CBS in consignments. Throughout the 2013 citrus export season, the department continuously engaged the relevant EU authorities by sharing information on the implementation of the RMS and submitting information on remedial actions taken where a CBS interception had occurred. Despite implementing additional risk management measures, South Africa has accumulated 36 interceptions of CBS to date on Citrus fruit exported to the EU.
On 29 November 2013, the Standing Committee on Plant Health, comprising phytosanitary experts from EU Member States, recommended that for the current season, citrus imports from South Africa would be restricted to CBS free areas. These CBS free areas refer to those areas which South Africa considers to be free from the CBS organism.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries together with the relevant industry will continue to put strengthened measures in place to comply with the EU's import requirements regarding CBS. However, we will also continue to engage the relevant processes to contest the stringency of the EU phytosanitary import requirements in respect of CBS as we believe it is not technically justifiable.
Said Minister Joemat-Pettersson, "South Africa will do everything possible to minimise job losses in the citrus industry. We have been in negotiations with other additional markets while the negotiations with the EU continue. We would like to maintain the EU market, however, we are also mindful of the fact that alternative markets will have to be found in addition to the EU. The 3rd Brics Agriculture Ministerial meeting, which was held in October this year, touched on discussions on exchanges for technical experts with a particular focus on citrus. Our expertise in this field needs to be strengthened. We are also pursuing the BRICS bloc as an alternative, additional market for our citrus. The key priority is to minimise the job losses in South Africa."
Statement issued by Palesa Mokomele, Spokesperson for the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, December 1 2013
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