There is a real phytosanitary risk: The EU is required to close its borders to South African citrus fruits after 20 detections of black spot in 3 months

The new interceptions of pests and diseases recorded by the European Union in August confirm that South Africa has a serious problem with black spot in citrus (Phyllosticta citricarpa). For this reason, the Valencian Association of Farmers (AVA-ASAJA) is demanding that the EU close its borders to South African citrus. The South African country accumulated eight more cases of shipments infested with the fungus that causes black spot in its citrus imports destined for the EU during the last month, of which seven were found in lemons and one in mandarins. Added to the twelve detections in June and July, South African citrus has already had twenty interceptions of black spot in its first three months of the export campaign. Fearing that this phytosanitary risk will increase even more, now that shipments are going to reach their peak, the agricultural organisation has demanded that the EU close its borders to South African citrus.