STATEMENT

Response to notification of citrus black spot (CBS) in South African citrus exported to the EU

22 Jul 2014

On 17 July 2014, the Netherlands' phytosanitary authorities confirmed that laboratory tests had shown that citrus black spot (CBS) was present in a consignment of South African lemons exported to the European Union (EU). The South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) was notified of this through the EU Europhyt notification system on 18 July 2014. The intercepted part of the consignment in question was refused entry into the EU territory. This is the first time this year that CBS, a quarantine pest for the EU, has been detected in fruit entering the EU from South Africa.

Responding immediately, DAFF notified the producer and withdrew the production unit in question from further exports to the EU in the current season. Other fruit types from that production unit already in the export pipeline have also been identified and will be dealt with accordingly. An investigation has been launched by DAFF in collaboration with the industry to determine the possible causes for the presence of CBS in this fruit. Based on the findings, remedial measures will be evaluated and implemented, as appropriate, to prevent reoccurrence. As per previous agreement with the EU, all relevant information will be reported to the EU.

South Africa has gone to great lengths and expense to ensure compliance with EU requirements through its comprehensive CBS risk management system. This system was further strengthened for the current export season based on detailed investigations of all CBS non-compliances reported in the EU in 2013. In addition, all consignments of citrus entering the EU from 24 July 2014 onwards must comply with the new EU measures and associated certification required by the EU regarding CBS, as published in the EU on 3 July 2014. The new measures include additional pre-export sampling and inspection requirements. Also, all "Valencia" oranges must have been subject to a chemical symptom expression test.

Strengthening and strict implementation of risk management processes for CBS will continue in order to ensure that trade with the EU continues. DAFF is committed to compliance with these import measures and to maintaining open channels of communication with the EU. The EU remains an important market for South African citrus, therefore full compliance with the EU's import requirements is critical.

Statement issued by Makenosi Maroo, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, July 22 2014

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