"The Phyllosticta citricarpa, which causes Citrus Black Spot and the Xanthomonas citri, which causes Citrus canker, represent a risk to the European citrus industry, as Europe's weather conditions are ideal for their spread. The diseases have not been detected in the EU so far and control measures are in place to prevent it," states the EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) in its latest report after conducting a risk assessment.
The Spanish citrus sector demands the European Commission takes steps regarding South Africa's citrus exports, as the ban introduced in November was lifted in January. Black Spot has become a key issue for Spanish citrus producers.
"Now that the EFSA has again stated that it believes the risk to be real, we consider it essential for the European Commission to introduce the necessary measures, given the ineffectiveness demonstrated so far by the EU's safety and plant health protocols," explains Cristóbal Aguado, general director of the Valencian Growers Association AVA-ASAJA, who stresses that "on no account is this a matter of competition against South Africa, as both campaigns are fully complementary."
This is not the first time that the citrus sector is up against a widely-spread disease, and additionally, new minor illnesses continue entering Spain every fifteen months. "After almost fifty years, we managed to eradicate the Tristeza virus (CTV), which is now seriously affecting Italy, but if this disease was introduced now, it would be a heavy blow for us with irreparable consequences."
For Cristóbal Aguado, the EU's phytosanitary measures should be more homogeneous, "with a common border and specialised inspectors at the ports of origin. While the U.S. is able to close its borders for phytosanitary reasons, Europe, for its part, allows all goods to enter without demanding strict controls. It is a serious issue. We want a globalised market, but not a globalisation of pests."
"We would not actually like to see South Africa's imports banned; we only ask for more efficiency and strictness in plant health and safety issues."
According to José Antonio García, director of the Lemon and Grapefruit Interprofessional Association (AILIMPO), "the Spanish citrus sector has reached a unanimous position in its demands to the European and Spanish Administrations. There are real common concerns amongst operators, producers and the processing industry."