South African fruit exporters have been “very slow” to adopt an electronic system that would make it quicker and easier to obtain phytosanitary certificates, according to the CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern African, Justin Chadwick.
“The admin work for certification is currently paper-based and exporters have been slow to move over to the digital Titan programme,” said Chadwick.
It’s a mobile programme launched by the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) in October 2014 to assist the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Daff) and the PPECB to process and sign phytosanitary certificates more efficiently.
“It supplies more accurate information and helps streamline the export process,” said Chadwick. The uptake has however been disappointing and fruit exporters have been encouraged to find out more and get involved.
The programme stores all the requirements met by fruit exporters, along with detailed information on them, on one database, making it easier for inspectors to gain access and submit certification.
It has, to date, been implemented by 102 exporters and has generated 169 export certificates, according to the PPECB.
“Everyone should be using the Titan programme for its efficiency,” said Chadwick.
