Spain says South Africa's action at the WTO over its citrus fruits is losing ground

Published 2024년 10월 15일

Tridge summary

The article highlights the concerns of the Citrus Management Committee (CGC) of Spain and the Valencian Association of Farmers (AVA-ASAJA) regarding the high number of 'Black spot' (Phyllosticta citricarpa) interceptions in citrus fruits from South Africa and Zimbabwe. Despite the European Union's regulatory efforts, 26 cases have been rejected at European ports in 2024, with an average of 37 interceptions annually since 2021. This situation is causing concern about the disease's adaptation to the Mediterranean climate and the potential risk to EU plantations. Both organizations call for stricter phytosanitary measures and the use of effective fungicides by South Africa. The CGC suggests that the European Commission should hold South Africa accountable for these findings and consider tightening import regulations. The article also mentions the concern over other priority pathogens, such as the False moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) and Candidatus liberibacter africanus-Citrus Greening.

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Original content

With seven rejections for 'Black spot' (Phyllosticta citricarpa or CBS) recorded in European ports in September, there are already 26 accumulated in 2024, the combat of which is regulated as a "priority" by the European Union in citrus fruits from South Africa, reported the Citrus Management Committee (CGC) of Spain. The entity pointed out that the number of interceptions recorded by the official statistics Erophyt-Traces, proves that the problems of South African operators to control this disease are not something temporary. "Since 2021, in fact and considering this year's data as provisional, because they do not include those of October, which is also of a special import intensity, the southern country suffers an annual average of 37 interceptions for this reason. To these figures we should indirectly add those of Zimbabwe, whose main producers and exporters are integrated into the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA)", the CGC said in a statement. In the opinion ...

Source: MXfruit