EU's ban on South Africa Citrus

SAnews.gov.za
The European Union's export ban on some of
South Africa's citrus products is a major concern
and poses a threat to socio-economic
development in the country, says the Portfolio
Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The committee has called for urgent closer
cooperation between the South African
government and its European counterparts to
further discuss the issue on scientific evidence
and reconsider the decision.
It has also urged for more collaboration with the
affected citrus producers in the industry to take
proper control measures to ensure identified
regions are disease-free.
This follows reports that citrus black spot was
found in several citrus fruit cargos from South
Africa to European markets this year. This led to
the European authorities putting restrictions on
some of the country's citrus exports from certain
identified regions.
Committee Chairperson Lulu Johnson said the
decision had the potential to impact negatively on
the industry in terms of both the income and job
losses. "As much as we believe that each party
has the obligation to act in the best for its
economy, as the committee we strongly believe
that it is through the continuous negotiations that
an amicable solution favourable to both countries,
especially their producers and consumers, can be
found before this causes more unexpected
harm," said Johnson.
The committee encouraged parties to find a way
of eliminating the possible development of the
citrus black spot, and equally appeal to the EU to
open doors for negotiations.