Members of Intercitrus have had a working lunch with Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan.
Representatives of the interprofessional have reported on the "bad" development of the citrus campaign, strongly affected by the presence of citrus fruits from South Africa and Egypt, as well as by other structural problems of the sector itself.
They have asked the Commission for a study on the impact of the trade agreements signed with these third countries, as well as for a preliminary analysis of the one soon to be signed with Mercosur, and for reciprocity in the conditions of imports.
Moreover, they have pointed to the immediate threat posed by two serious quarantine pests of foreign origin, and which are often detected in European port controls on imports. Therefore, they have asked for "extraordinary and urgent measures" to prevent their arrival to the Mediterranean.
The meeting has also served to move forward as regards the documentation required to ensure that, at the end of the next off-season campaign, a report can be prepared with data from the latest four seasons. The idea is to assess the possibility of activating the safeguard clause of the agreement signed with the South African States.
"Oranges, mandarins or juice from third countries should meet the same standards that have been established for EU products, because that's the only way to extend the European production model, and particularly its requirements, when it comes to protecting the health of consumers and the environment," said the president of Intercitrus, Manuel Arrufat.
As regards the Black Spot issue, since it has been confirmed that this fungus is capable of adapting to the Mediterranean climate, Hogan has been asked to consider the possibility of a precautionary border closure after a certain level of interceptions (5) is reached, as previously foreseen in European regulations.
Source: agrodiariohuelva.es