SA appeals for exemption from stringent new EU rules

Perishable exports face quality inspections Leonard Neil ALL CONSIGNMENTS of fresh fruit and vegetables imported into the European Union will now be subject to quality inspections at that end in terms of regulations approved in June 2001 and due to be implemented at the end of this year. This, says the South African Department of Agriculture, could have major consequences for all exporting countries, including South Africa, which is still exporting up to 70% of its fresh produce to the EU. Third World countries have been granted the option to apply for exemption under a clause in the regulations which implies that the export quality control system of the exporting country, if recognised by the European Commission, can be subjected to less stringent paper audits and spot checks. “There has been ongoing correspondence and discussions between ourselves and the EU official in Brussels,” says Cyril Julius, Department of Agriculture’s Plant, Health and Quality director. “We have made application for exemption and have been told this is receiving serious attention. We are confident we will get approval before the end of this year. If not, measures will be sought to prevent any disruptions to South African consignments. “Our timely attention to this matter has ensured that our application was tabled early enough for evaluation. We are in line with applications from India, Israel, Jordan, Poland, Senegal, Slovakia, Tunisia and Uruguay. We have been told there are several other countries which are still preparing their applications, while others are considering whether they should apply. That gives us confidence we will go ahead with our export drive without facing what could be serious problems.”