On 29 July 2022, the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced that South Africa had requested dispute consultations with the European Union (EU) concerning certain measures imposed by the EU on the importation of South African citrus fruit. The request was circulated to WTO members on 29 July 2022.
South Africa is challenging recently enacted changes to EU phytosanitary requirements for the importation of oranges and other citrus products related to the pest Thaumatotibia leucotreta, known as false codling moth. South Africa claims the EU measures appear to be inconsistent with various provisions of the WTO's Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT 1994).
This is the first-ever WTO dispute settlement case initiated by South Africa.
What is a request for consultations?
The request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.
