Copa-Cogeca calls for immediate action on South African citrus

European agricultural cooperative Copa-Cogeca has submitted a letter to EU commissioner Tonio Borg requesting immediate blockage of South African citrus imports that may pose a risk of black spot.

The European Standing Committee on Plant Health will discuss a draft proposal on restricting South African citrus shipments at its meeting on April 29-30 in Brussels.

A similar proposal was submitted for committee discussion at its meetings in March and November. The topic of black spot risk from South African citrus has been on the committee’s agenda repeatedly since September.

Copa-Cogeca’s most recent request cites the European Food Safety Authority report from February that found existing measures for preventing black spot entrance as appropriate.

The EU had established a limit of five black spot detections in South African citrus imports before implementing a ban on the fruit. Detections had reached 36 by season’s end, however. READ MORE

Source:  www.freshfruitportal.co.za