WTO action against EU deflates: South Africa has suffered an annual average of 37 rejections for black spots since 2021

Published 2024년 10월 14일

Tridge summary

Europe has recorded 26 interceptions of the 'Black spot' fungus in citrus fruits from South Africa, with an annual average of 37 interceptions since 2021, despite South Africa's claims that the fungus does not adapt to the Mediterranean climate. The Management Committee (CGC) of Spain's private citrus exporters has called for stricter regulations and harmonization with Western countries. The European Commission has not suspended imports from areas declared with the pathogen, leading to concerns about the risk to EU plantations and the health of the citrus industry. Additionally, concerns have been raised about non-compliance with conditions for subjecting oranges to cold treatment to control the 'False orange moth' and the presence of Citrus Greening in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

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Original content

With the 7 rejections for 'Black spot' (Phyllosticta citricarpa or CBS, for its acronym in English) recorded in European ports during last September, there are already 26 accumulated this year due to the presence of this dangerous fungus (whose combat is regulated as a 'priority' by the EU) in citrus fruits from South Africa. The number of interceptions for the whole of 2024 recorded by the official Erophyt-Traces statistics proves that the problems of operators in this country 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 for the month of October, which is also a particularly intense month for imports - the southern country suffers an annual average of 37 interceptions for this reason. To these figures we should indirectly add those of Zimbabwe - another 6 this year - a neighbouring country whose main producers and exporters are integrated into the Citrus Growers ...

Source: InfoAgro