The South African citrus industry on Friday voted to proactively suspend the export of citrus fruit to the European Union (EU) with immediate effect, with the exception of soft citrus and exports from the Western and Northern Cape.
The decision was taken at a special meeting of the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) Citrus Black Spot (CBS) Disaster Management Committee,
The industry has requested the Department of Agriculture to give effect to this decision by suspending inspection and the issuing of phyto certificates for all EU citrus exports, except on soft citrus and all citrus exports from the CBS-free areas.
“The SA citrus industry in partnership with the SA government has worked tirelessly over the past six years to maintain South Africa’s comprehensive CBS risk management programme,” said CGA CEO Justin Chadwick.
“This decision was taken as a measure to ensure continued access in future to the EU market, which is of significant importance to all industry stakeholders, not to mention the 100 000 people we employ.”
