The CBS (citrus black spot) risk management system for the EU is now fine-tuned and only four interceptions were recorded in Europe in 2016.
That’s according to Citrus Growers’ Association CEO Justin Chadwick, who pointed out that this came at a high cost (over R1 billion).
He believes it is totally unnecessary given the fact that CBS should not be considered a quarantine organism in the EU (according to global CBS experts). “Nevertheless, as long as the unjustified measures remain, South African regulators (Daff) and growers will continue to pay attention to abiding by the regulations,” he said.
Daff heaped praise on growers for being proactive by withdrawing orchards from the programme where they were concerned about the fruits’ phytosanitary status (1 280 orchards were withdrawn in 2016).
“A CBS working group will gather soon to consider the 2017 RMS – at the moment the system remains unchanged,” said Chadwick.
