South African citrus faces tough export season to EU

"Existing measures are effective at protecting the EU from two serious diseases that attack citrus plants." That is the conclusion of risk assessments carried out by EFSA on Phyllosticta citricarpa, the organism which causes citrus black spot, and Xanthomonas citri, which causes citrus canker. "Both pathogens present a risk to the EU citrus industry because host plants are present in Europe and the environmental conditions are favourable. Neither is currently found in the EU and both are subject to control measures preventing their entry into the region," according to the report.

The EU ban on citrus imports from South Africa imposed in November was lifted in January.

Citrus Growers Association CEO Justin Chadwick said that exports had been minimally affected by the ban as it had been imposed after South Africa’s export season last year.

But the fact that South Africa is now on a watch list is worrying citrus growers who believe the technical criteria for a ban are unfair.

"Non-European citrus-exporting countries like South Africa have previously raised concern about the technical justification of the current regulations, which have been disruptive to citrus fruit exports to the EU in recent years," Mr Chadwick said.

The South African Citrus growers who have anticipated this situation have been taking measures to minimise citrus black spot costing the industry around 1 Billion Rand.

It remains to be seen if the European Committee will fully enforce the exiting conditions in the 2014 season. An up coming meeting of DG Santo committee on plant heath will clarify the situation further.