8 August 2023
By: Michelle van der Spuy
The Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) has reported a pattern of erroneous classifications of black spot in the European Union (EU) since the start of the citrus export season.
Deon Joubert, the association’s special envoy for market access and EU affairs, says tests for black spot in Belgium and Portugal are unreliable and have resulted in false positive results.
For example, Portugal confirmed a case of black spot in fruits from the Western Cape, which is free of the disease.
“This type of action indicates an established agenda to block South African trade. The CGA is in the process of formally objecting to these interceptions with the EU,” says Joubert.
“If the EU closes its citrus markets for South Africa due to these false interceptions, the citrus industry, and consequently the South African economy, will suffer further losses.”
The CGA has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene and challenge the EU’s unfair trade regulations, especially those concerning black spot.
“The CGA and the departments of trade, industry & competition; agriculture, land reform & rural development; and international relations & cooperation have been working together for over 10 years to stop the black spot regulations, but unfortunately the EU continues to enforce rules that are unscientific and irrational,” says Joubert.
The situation has developed into a significant threat to the local citrus industry’s 700,000 jobs and revenue of R15 billion.
According to Joubert, it is essential for the South African government to draw a line and ask the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to declare a dispute with the EU.
He says the citrus industry has long argued that black spot is a cosmetic issue that affects only a small percentage of exported fruits due to South Africa’s good control measures.
Despite evidence that citrus fruits without leaves cannot contribute to the spread of black spot, the EU persists in applying its unfair measures, says Joubert.
“The EU is the only overseas market that holds this position on black spot. Other markets acknowledge that the risk of disease spread through the trade of fresh fruits is negligible.”
Despite this, local citrus growers have implemented a comprehensive black spot risk management programme in recent years.
Joubert says it is clear the EU restrictions are protectionist. “Through its actions, it blocks South African citrus to the unfair advantage of its members, specifically the Spanish citrus industry. The South African government has already stated that the EU regulations on black spot are more of a trade restriction than a plant health issue.”
