EU lifts ban on South Africa citrus exports
South African citrus exporters are relieved that a new deal has lifted a temporary ban on the fruit sent to the European Union (EU).
Our government approached the World Trade Organisation after the EU introduced new plant and health safety requirements - to deter the false codling moth, a destructive fruit pest.
Local growers called the measures drastic, saying hundreds of containers full of South African fruit were held up on arrival at European ports.
Now, Agriculture's Reggie Ngcobo says they have agreed on new rules to control the risk of infestation.
READ: Local citrus growers slam 'discriminatory' new export regulations
Hundreds of citrus containers - stuck at EU ports for weeks - have finally been cleared.
"The new measures include amended additional phytosanitary declarations for grapefruit and soft citrus and revised cold treatment regime for oranges."
Ngcobo says the measures published in June took effect three days later, which didn't make sense to them.
"It meant that consignments that left South Africa on 24 June 2022, three days from the publication should have been certified on the new measures.
"The department did explain to the European Commission in a meeting and through written communication that the date was unreasonable."
ALSO READ: Tonnes of fruit stranded in EU, SA battle of oranges
He says South African oranges were rejected by Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.
More than 2 000 containers, valued at around R500 million were affected by the blockage.
They eventually managed to negotiate with EU which has, to date, cleared nearly 300 of the 500 and nine containers.
MORE ON ECR
