Italy: Contaminated South African citrus fruits

“Immediate suspension of imports of all citrus fruits from South Africa and application by the EU of the same measures applied by third countries to the export of olives affected by Xylella”. The president of the Sicilian Blood Orange Consortium, Gerardo Diana, is calling for maximum rigor towards South African citrus fruits. “Official data from the Europhyt-Traces portal confirms that, up to October 2023, 51 batches of South African citrus fruit affected by citrus black spot (Citrus black spot) have been identified, a number that already represents the highest figure ever recorded. Of the 13 cases recorded in the month of October, 12 occurred on oranges: a fact which disavows the decision taken by the exporters of this country and implemented by its authorities, according to which, from 15 September, only oranges produced in areas of South Africa declared free from this disease could have left for the EU”, adds Diana, relaunching the alarm raised by the Spanish interprofessional ...