SA citrus growers skirt Spain over disease dispute

SOUTH Africa, the world’s biggest orange exporter after Spain and Egypt, will avoid citrus shipments through Spanish ports to avert a possible ban after authorities there refused producers permission to inspect testing facilities for black-spot disease.

The fungus, which affects some South African produce, causes blemishes on the peel of the fruit, which accounts for about 40% of citrus imported by the European Union (EU).

The nation’s Citrus Growers Association (CGA) is disputing findings by the European Food Safety Authority that the disease can survive transport and storage and could establish in EU regions.

SA had to halt exports to the region last year after EU authorities intercepted 16 shipments with black-spot-affected fruit. More

Source: www.bdlive.co.za